First signs

A baby with Canavan may appear normal at birth and typically develops normally for several months. Sometimes symptoms are noticeable at birth. As development slows, parents may notice a reduction in vision and tracking.

Gradual Loss of skills

Children with Canavan gradually regress, losing skills one by one, and eventually are unable to crawl, turn over, sit or reach out.  Other symptoms include loss of coordination, progressive inability to swallow and difficulty breathing.

By Age 3 and beyond

By age 3, children progressively lose muscle tone and function. Some children experience recurrent seizures. Despite their inability to communicate by traditional means many parents believe their child understands their surroundings and can speak volumes with their eyes.