There are three forms of Tay-Sachs disease: infantile, juvenile and late onset/adult. Infantile form In the most common and severe form, called infantile form, an infant typically begins showing signs and symptoms by about 3 to 6 months of age. Survival is usually only a few years. Signs and symptoms can include:  Exaggerated startle response when the baby hears loud noises "Cherry-red" spots in the eyes Loss of motor skills, including turning over, crawling and sitting up Muscle weakness, progressing to paralysis Movement problems Seizures Vision loss and blindness Hearing loss and deafness Problems swallowing Loss of mental functions and a lack of response to surroundings Growth in head size (progressive macrocephaly)  Juvenile form The juvenile form of Tay-Sachs disease is less common. Signs and symptoms vary in severity and begin in childhood. Survival is typically into the teen years. Signs and symptoms can include:  Behavior problems Gradual loss of skills and movement control Frequent respiratory infections Slow loss of vision and speech Decline in mental function and responsiveness Seizures  Last onset/adult form This is a rare and less severe form with signs and symptoms beginning in late childhood to adulthood. Severity of symptoms varies greatly, and this form does not always impact life expectancy. Signs and symptoms progress slowly and can include:  Muscle weakness Clumsiness and loss of coordination Tremors and muscle spasms Loss of the ability to walk Problems speaking and swallowing Psychiatric disorders Sometimes loss of mental function 
forms tay-sachs disease: infantile  juvenile late onset/adult  infantile form common severe form  called infantile form  infant typically begins showing signs symptoms 3 6 months age  survival only years  signs symptoms can include:  exaggerated startle response baby hears loud noises "cherry-red" spots eyes loss motor skills  including turning over  crawling sitting muscle weakness  progressing paralysis movement problems seizures vision loss blindness hearing loss deafness problems swallowing loss mental functions lack response surroundings growth head size (progressive macrocephaly)  juvenile form juvenile form tay-sachs disease common  signs symptoms vary severity begin childhood  survival typically teen years  signs symptoms can include:  behavior problems gradual loss skills movement control frequent respiratory infections slow loss vision speech decline mental function responsiveness seizures  last onset/adult form rare severe form signs symptoms beginning late childhood adulthood  severity symptoms varies greatly  form impact life expectancy  signs symptoms progress slowly can include:  muscle weakness clumsiness loss coordination tremors muscle spasms loss ability walk problems speaking swallowing psychiatric disorders loss mental function 
tay sachs disease