10 Warning Signs of Childhood Schizophrenia

The onset of schizophrenic symptoms before the age of 12 is very rare; it is less than one-sixtieth as common as it is for adults. But being aware of early warning signs is still very important for the purpose of seeking care as soon as possible.

Recognizing schizophrenia in young children, however, can be difficult because symptoms are often vague and can be attributed to normal phases of development. But if symptoms go unnoticed they may become severe and could eventually lead to psychosis, where more pronounced symptoms will become apparent. Here are some early and later signs of childhood schizophrenia to watch for.

By APage

Late or unusual crawling or walking

Late or unusual crawling or walking

Crawling and walking abnormalities are a concern since it can signal many possible conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, and schizophrenia.  Crawling usually happens between six and ten months with the average age being eight months.  While lack of crawling can be a concern, it’s not necessarily a bad sign, since some babies crawl much later or even skip the crawling stage altogether.   

By APage— Last Modified: 09/19/2012, First Published: 09/19/2012