# Early Signs of Rett Syndrome at 12–18 Months

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-rett-syndrome-in-a-12-to-18-month-old
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

Between 12 and 18 months, early signs of Rett Syndrome often include a slowing or loss of skills a child once had — especially purposeful hand use, replaced by repetitive hand wringing or mouthing — alongside slowing head growth, movement changes and loss of emerging words. Because this involves regression and a genetic change, it warrants prompt medical review, not home diagnosis.

*Your daughter was reaching her milestones, and now something feels different — here's how to understand what you're noticing, gently and clearly.*

## In short
Rett Syndrome (ICD-11 LD90.0) often shows a distinctive pattern in the second year: a baby who was developing as expected begins to slow down or lose skills she had already gained — particularly purposeful hand use and emerging words. The hallmark sign is a loss of meaningful hand skills replaced by repetitive hand movements such as wringing, mouthing or hand-to-hand rubbing, alongside slowing head growth. These are signs to observe and discuss promptly with a clinician — never to diagnose at home.

## Early signs to watch between 12 and 18 months
**A pause or regression after early typical development**
- Skills that were emerging — babbling, words, reaching, grasping — begin to fade or plateau
- A period of withdrawal or reduced eye contact and social interest, which can later partly recover

**Loss of purposeful hand use**
- Stops using hands to reach, hold or explore toys the way she used to
- Repetitive hand movements appear — wringing, squeezing, clapping, tapping, mouthing or washing-like motions, often near the midline

**Movement and growth changes**
- Slowing of head growth (the head circumference your paediatrician tracks may fall away from its earlier curve)
- Unsteady, wide-based or stiff walking, or delay in walking; reduced muscle tone or unusual stiffness

**Communication and breathing**
- Loss of emerging spoken words or reduced communicative sounds
- In some children, irregular breathing patterns while awake (breath-holding or fast breathing) — though these often become clearer a little later

What distinguishes this from ordinary variation is the **loss or regression** of skills a child once had, especially purposeful hand use, rather than a simple delay in gaining new ones.

## When to seek a check
Because Rett Syndrome involves a genetic change and can affect movement, growth and breathing, any regression — losing skills your child previously had — warrants a prompt medical review with your paediatrician, who may arrange genetic testing (commonly MECP2) and onward specialist assessment. This is a medical-referral situation first; therapies such as occupational, physiotherapy and communication support then play a vital role in nurturing comfort, connection and ability.

## The Pinnacle way
At [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/), we walk beside families with warmth and a strengths-first lens — focusing on what your daughter can do and how we grow it. Targeted support like [occupational therapy](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/best-occupational-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) helps protect hand function, movement and daily participation, while you learn more about [Rett Syndrome](/rett-syndrome) and what to expect. A clinical [AbilityScore®](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care; nothing here is a diagnosis. Across 70+ centres in 4 states and 4.95 lakh+ families served, our aim is steady, compassionate progress.

## Trusted sources
Aligned with WHO ICD-11 (LD90.0 Rett syndrome), and developmental and child-health guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren.org on monitoring milestones and acting early when skills are lost.

**Next step —** if you've noticed your daughter losing skills or changing how she uses her hands, please speak with your paediatrician now, and book a developmental screen with our clinical team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 — let's understand this together.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- WHO ICD-11: Rett syndrome: https://icd.who.int/
- HealthyChildren.org: monitoring milestones and acting early: https://www.healthychildren.org/
- American Academy of Pediatrics: developmental surveillance: https://www.aap.org/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Conditions: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/conditions
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Toddler-12-18: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/age/toddler-12-18
- Context: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/context
- Early Signs: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/early_signs
- Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen
- Special Education: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/special-education
- Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- How Rett Syndrome Affects a Child's Daily Life: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-rett-syndrome-affect-a-child-s-daily-life
- Is Rett Syndrome considered a disability?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-rett-syndrome-considered-a-disability
- Is Rett Syndrome Genetic or Hereditary?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-rett-syndrome-genetic-or-hereditary
- What are common myths about Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-common-myths-about-rett-syndrome
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- Early Intervention Outcomes in Rett Syndrome (Under 7): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-current-research-show-about-early-intervention-outcomes-for-rett-syndrome-in-children-under-7
- What is Rett Syndrome, and its ICD-11 features in early childhood?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-rett-syndrome-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood
- ICD-11 Classification of Rett Syndrome (LD90.0): https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-rett-syndrome

### Recognise signs & concerns
- Early Signs of Rett Syndrome in an 18-to-24-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-rett-syndrome-in-a-18-to-24-month-old
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- Early Signs of Rett Syndrome in a 9-to-12-Month-Old: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-rett-syndrome-in-a-9-to-12-month-old
- Early Signs of Rett Syndrome in a 2-Year-Old Girl: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-are-the-early-signs-of-rett-syndrome-in-a-2-year-old-girl
- When to worry about Rett Syndrome at 12–18 months: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/when-should-i-worry-that-my-12-to-18-month-old-might-have-rett-syndrome
- Can Rett Syndrome Be Cured?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-rett-syndrome-be-cured
- Can Rett Syndrome Be Prevented?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-rett-syndrome-be-prevented
- Rett Syndrome in Boys: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-boys-show-rett-syndrome-differently
- Do girls show Rett Syndrome differently?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/do-girls-show-rett-syndrome-differently
- Should I be worried my child might have Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/should-i-be-worried-my-child-might-have-rett-syndrome

### Explore causes & influences
- Are boys more likely to have Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-boys-more-likely-to-have-rett-syndrome
- Are girls more likely to have Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-girls-more-likely-to-have-rett-syndrome
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### Understand assessment
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- How Rett Syndrome Is Assessed in a Young Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-rett-syndrome-assessed-in-a-young-child
- How Rett Syndrome Is Assessed in Children Under 7: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-rett-syndrome-assessed-in-children-under-7
- What an AbilityScore® of 0–100 means for a child with Rett Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- What does an AbilityScore of 100–200 mean for a child with Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- What does an AbilityScore of 200–300 mean for a child with Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- AbilityScore 300–400 in Rett Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- What an AbilityScore of 400–500 Means in Rett Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- What does an AbilityScore of 500–600 mean for a child with Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- What does an AbilityScore of 600–700 mean for a child with Rett Syndrome?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
- What an AbilityScore of 700–800 Means for a Child with Rett Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-an-abilityscore-of-700-800-mean-for-a-child-with-rett-syndrome
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### Explore therapy & support
- Can a Child with Rett Syndrome Attend a Mainstream School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-rett-syndrome-attend-a-mainstream-school
- Can a Child with Rett Syndrome Attend a Regular School?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-a-child-with-rett-syndrome-attend-a-regular-school
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- How is Rett Syndrome diagnosed in a child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-rett-syndrome-diagnosed-in-a-child
- How is Rett Syndrome supported through therapy?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-rett-syndrome-supported-through-therapy
- Rett Syndrome AbilityScore®: What to Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-0-100-what-should-we-do-next
- Rett Syndrome with an AbilityScore of 100–200: your next step: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-100-200-what-should-we-do-next
- Rett Syndrome: AbilityScore 200–300 — what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-200-300-what-should-we-do-next
- Rett Syndrome: AbilityScore 300–400 — what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-300-400-what-should-we-do-next
- Rett Syndrome with an AbilityScore of 400–500: what to do next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-400-500-what-should-we-do-next
- Rett Syndrome and an AbilityScore of 500–600: What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-500-600-what-should-we-do-next
- Rett Syndrome AbilityScore 600–700: What To Do Next: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/my-child-with-rett-syndrome-has-an-abilityscore-of-600-700-what-should-we-do-next

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I support my child with Rett Syndrome at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-my-child-with-rett-syndrome-at-home