The same criteria are used to diagnose children and adults. Diagnosis is based on reports by parents or caretakers, teachers, school officials, and others close to the child. A professional who believes a child has schizophrenia usually conducts a series of tests to rule out other causes of behavior, and pinpoint a diagnosis. Three different types of study are performed: physical, laboratory, and psychological. Physical exams usually cover the basic assessments, including but not limited to; height, weight, blood pressure, and checking all vital signs to make sure the child is healthy. Laboratory tests include electroencephalogram EEG screening and brain imaging scans. Blood tests are used to rule out alcohol or drug effects, and thyroid hormone levels are tested to rule out hyper- or hypothyroidism. A psychologist or psychiatrist talks to a child about their thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. They also inquire about the severity of the symptoms, and the effects they have on the child's daily life. They may also discuss thoughts of suicide or self-harm in these one-on-one sessions. Some symptoms that may be looked at are early language delays, early motor development delays, and school problems. Many people with<unk>  are initially misdiagnosed as having pervasive developmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder, for example). Age of first episode of psychosis<unk>  manifests before the age of 13 and is also known as very early-onset. Onset before the age of 18 is known as early-onset schizophrenia, and is rare; very early-onset is even rarer. Differential diagnosis The onset of<unk>  usually follows a period of normal, or near normal, development. Strange interests, unusual beliefs, and social impairment can be prodromal symptoms of<unk> , but can also be signs of autism spectrum disorder. Hallucinations and delusions are typical for schizophrenia, but not features of autism spectrum disorder. In children hallucinations must be separated from typical<unk>  fantasies. Since<unk>  disintegrative disorder (CDD) has a very similar set of symptoms and high comorbidity it can be misdiagnosed as<unk> , which can lead to prescribing ineffective medications.<unk>  can be difficult to diagnosis simply because of how many disorders mimic the symptoms of CS. Though it can be difficult, that is why it is important to examine the whole mental state of the child at that time. Individuals who experience disorders such as major depressive disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder and schizotypal personality disorder have all been known to exhibit similar symptoms to children who have been diagnosed with CS. The three most common disorders that are difficult to distinguish are bipolar disorder (BD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). BD, ASD, and ADHD overlap with symptom patterns in CS but a few distinguishing factors helps differentiate the disorders. Understanding these differences is crucial to diagnosing the child. Individuals with bipolar disorder and<unk>  can both present psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized behaviors. A distinguishing feature in<unk> , the hallucination, aren't taking place during a 'depressive or manic' episode as it would for an individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder. An individual with bipolar disorder has both low and high moods while one with CS, exhibits elements of depression. Autism spectrum disorder share many features that are present in CS such as disorganized speech, social deficits, and extremely bizarre and repetitive behaviors. A hallmark of CS and distinguishing factor is when hallucinations last longer than one month. Should this occur, further examinations are necessary to determine if the child has ASD or CS. Unlike the previous two disorders, ADHD and CS have fewer commonalities. Both individuals who have been diagnosed with CS and ADHD may appear to exhibit a poor attention span and disorganization. "Psychotic episodes are absent in ADHD, a distinct difference from CS". It is important to understand that children diagnosed with<unk>  have higher rates of comorbidity, so exploring all resources is necessary to properly diagnose the child.
Childhood schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder in children
Autism spectrum
Multiple complex developmental disorder
Tardive dysmentia
Asperger syndrome
Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified