Catatonia is a condition that affects how the brain controls the body. It can impact how someone moves, talks, eats and reacts emotionally. Some children may appear frozen or stop communicating. Others may move a lot, repeat words or actions, or seem emotionally overwhelmed.
Catatonia is usually not a diagnosis by itself. It is a syndrome, which means it’s usually part of another condition. Catatonia often occurs together with:
Catatonia represents a change in how a child usually functions. Parents and caregivers may notice their child has stopped doing things they used to be able to do, like talking, using the bathroom or feeding themselves. This regression, or loss of skills, is a key sign of catatonia in children whether or not they have a developmental diagnosis.
The length of time catatonia lasts can vary. Some children begin to improve within a few days to weeks after starting treatment, especially if doctors can find and manage the condition that triggered it. In other cases, especially for children with autism or other neurodevelopmental conditions, catatonia may take longer to improve. It may also come and go over time. Ongoing support may include regular follow- up visits with doctors, therapy to rebuild lost skills, medication adjustments and help with daily routines. These supports can help maintain progress and adjust treatment as the child’s needs change over time.
Catatonia can look different from child to child.
There isn’t one single cause of catatonia. Many different things can lead to it. Doctors often do a full evaluation to try to understand what might be behind it.
Catatonia may be connected to:
Brain scans show that in catatonia, the motor control system in the brain becomes unbalanced. Sometimes, it may be stuck on “stop,” and other times stuck on “go.” This explains why kids may freeze or act in fast, repetitive ways.
Catatonia can show up in different ways, but the signs can be subtle. Some children may seem unusually still or withdrawn, while others may appear stuck in a loop of movement or behavior. In some cases, symptoms may come and go or shift between being very still (akinetic) and very active (excited).
Catatonia affects movement, speech, emotions and behavior.
Symptoms can include:
One of the clearest signs of catatonia is regression or losing abilities a child had previously mastered, like speaking, feeding themselves or using the bathroom. This can happen in children with or without autism. This kind of regression can be especially hard to recognize in children with autism or developmental conditions, since some catatonia symptoms overlap with behaviors they already show. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to what is new or different from how the child usually behaves.
There’s no single test for catatonia. Doctors rely on what they see, what parents share and a full review of the child’s health history. Diagnosis often happens during the early teen years. Symptoms may begin earlier or later.
Because catatonia can look like other conditions (like depression, autism regression or seizures), care teams need to work together. Often, a trial dose of medication, like lorazepam, is given to see if symptoms improve. This is called a lorazepam challenge. It’s usually done in a medical setting where the child can be closely observed. A positive response can help confirm the diagnosis and guide treatment.
Catatonia is usually diagnosed by child psychiatrists, neurologists or medical teams who are familiar with complex behavioral and developmental conditions.
The main goal of treatment is to help the child return to their usual level of functioning. For many kids, this begins with medication.
Not all children need long-term treatment. Long-term treatment may be needed especially when catatonia is connected to conditions like autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. In these conditions, the underlying condition can’t be cured, and catatonia may be more resistant to short- term treatment. Children may continue to need medication, therapy or supportive care over time to manage symptoms and maintain function.
With proper care, many children recover fully or greatly improve. Some return to their previous level of function, while others may gain new skills after treatment.
Recovery can take time. Some children begin to show improvement within a few days to weeks, especially when catatonia is caught early and treated promptly. Others may need longer-term support. It’s common for treatment to continue for several months or more, particularly when catatonia is connected to conditions like autism, Down syndrome or other developmental differences.
Our pediatric psychiatry experts use the most advanced, effective, and evidence-based approaches to treat the full spectrum of child and adolescent mental and behavioral health problems. The collaborative care team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice registered nurses, social workers, and clinical counselors.
Last Updated 08/2025
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