Childhood schizophrenia is rare, affecting an estimated one in 40,000 children under the age of 13. During early teen years, the rate of schizophrenia onset in the general population begins to increase, and the peak rates of onset lie between the ages of 15 and 30. Males tend to experience the first signs and symptoms of schizophrenia at the younger end of this range, while onset in females is usually at the older end. While childhood schizophrenia is essentially the same brain disorder as schizophrenia in adults, the early age of onset presents special considerations for diagnosis, treatment, educational needs, emotional and social development, family relationships, and other factors. Although there's no cure for childhood schizophrenia, medications and well-coordinated mental health care services can help families manage the disease, learn strategies to cope with the effects of childhood schizophrenia, and address other child and adolescent developmental needs.