# Rett Syndrome vs Separation Anxiety Disorder in Young Children Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-separation-anxiety-disorder-in-young-children Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition, usually caused by an MECP2 change and seen mostly in girls, marked by a loss of acquired skills — purposeful hand use, babble, words — and repetitive hand movements after early typical development. Separation Anxiety Disorder is an emotional condition where a fully-able child becomes intensely distressed when apart from a carer, but keeps all her skills intact. Rett involves a biological loss of abilities; separation anxiety is a strong feeling about being apart with development preserved. The key question for parents: has my child lost skills (think Rett), or is my able child overwhelmed by being apart (think separation anxiety)? *Two very different stories can look alike for a moment — one is woven into a child's genes, the other into a child's feelings — and telling them apart matters.* ## In short **Rett Syndrome** is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental condition, almost always caused by a change in the *MECP2* gene and seen mostly in girls. After a period of typical early development, a child may slow down or lose skills she had — purposeful hand use, babble or words — and develop repetitive hand movements like wringing or wave-washing. **Separation Anxiety Disorder** is an emotional and behavioural condition: an otherwise typically developing child becomes intensely distressed when apart from a parent or carer, but keeps all her skills, hand use and abilities intact. In short — Rett involves a *loss* of acquired skills and is rooted in biology; separation anxiety is a *strong feeling* about being apart, with development fully preserved. ## How they differ in everyday life With **Rett Syndrome**, parents often notice a quiet *regression* somewhere between 6 and 18 months: a baby who was reaching, holding and babbling gradually stops, her hands begin to move in repetitive patterns, head growth may slow, and walking or coordination can change. It is present all the time — not only when a parent leaves the room — and it is a change in the child's underlying abilities, not her mood. With **Separation Anxiety Disorder**, the child's skills are completely intact — she plays, speaks, uses her hands and learns normally. The distress shows up *around separation*: crying or clinging at drop-off, worry that something bad will happen to a parent, reluctance to sleep alone, or tummy aches before school. Crucially, once reassured or reunited, she settles and is herself again. A degree of separation upset is entirely normal in toddlers; it becomes a *disorder* only when it is intense, lasting and gets in the way of everyday life. The simplest distinction for a parent: **Has my child lost skills she once had, with unusual hand movements (think Rett)? Or is my fully-able child overwhelmed by being apart from me (think separation anxiety)?** ## When to seek help Any loss of skills a child previously had — hand use, babble, words, coordination — warrants a prompt developmental review, because regression is never something to wait out. Persistent, distressing separation worry that disrupts sleep, school or family life also deserves a gentle professional look. Either way, an early, unhurried assessment brings clarity and the right support. ## The Pinnacle way This is general information, not a diagnosis — 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, never from an app or form. Our clinicians observe how your child moves, plays, communicates and copes, then shape the right path — [behavioural therapy](/behavioural-therapy) and family support where anxiety is the picture, and developmental, communication and motor support where regression is involved. Learn more about [Rett Syndrome](/rett-syndrome). Backed by 2.5 billion+ data points and 25 million+ therapy sessions across 70+ centres. ## Trusted sources The World Health Organization's ICD-11 frames Rett Syndrome among neurodevelopmental conditions and separation anxiety among the anxiety disorders; the American Academy of Pediatrics and HealthyChildren describe typical separation worry in young children and when it needs attention. **Next step —** Noticing lost skills, unusual hand movements, or distress that goes beyond ordinary clinginess? Book a developmental screening and let a clinician bring clarity. ## Sources - WHO ICD-11: neurodevelopmental and anxiety disorders: https://icd.who.int - HealthyChildren (AAP): separation anxiety in young children: https://www.healthychildren.org - American Academy of Pediatrics: child development: https://www.aap.org ## Connected topics and perspectives - Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent - Context: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/context - Definition: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/definition - Screen: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/screen - Book Assessment: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/book-assessment - Early Clarity: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/early_clarity ## Related question paths ### Understand the subject - Childhood Anxiety vs Rett Syndrome in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-childhood-anxiety-and-rett-syndrome-in-young-children - Attachment Difficulties vs Rett Syndrome in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-attachment-difficulties-and-rett-syndrome-in-young-children - Developmental Regression vs Separation Anxiety Disorder: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-regression-and-separation-anxiety-disorder-in-young-children - Developmental Trauma vs Rett Syndrome in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-developmental-trauma-and-rett-syndrome-in-young-children - Self-Regulation Difficulties vs Rett Syndrome: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-self-regulation-difficulties-and-rett-syndrome-in-young-children - Autism Spectrum vs Rett Syndrome in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-autism-spectrum-and-rett-syndrome-in-young-children - Rett Syndrome vs Childhood Sleep Difficulties in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-childhood-sleep-difficulties-in-young-children - Rett Syndrome vs Persistent Toe-Walking: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-persistent-toe-walking-in-young-children - Rett Syndrome vs School Readiness Gap in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-school-readiness-gap-in-young-children - Rett Syndrome vs Selective Mutism in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-selective-mutism-in-young-children - Rett Syndrome vs Sensory Processing Differences in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-sensory-processing-differences-in-young-children - Rett Syndrome vs Social Communication Difficulties in Young Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-difference-between-rett-syndrome-and-social-communication-difficulties-in-young-children