Diagnosis of schizophrenia in young children.

Schizophrenia can be discovered in pre-school children by observation of: Social indifference; uneven and intermittent motor or physical development; irregularity in speech development with tendency toward infantile speech; early fear of falling or rising, giving way to obsession with jumping and falling; excessive interest in spinning toys and circular motility; and preoccupation with body periphery-hands, feet and hair.When the physician observes these symptoms, or is consulted about them by the parents, clinical appraisal in consultation with a pediatric psychiatrist will usually suffice for diagnosis. Early treatment-before school age-is important for the child's future development.