In our efforts to make our website the very best place to learn about all our special kiddos, we have been working behind the scenes to build our specific diagnoses pages. This month we have been working on creating a place for therapists to go to learn more about Rett Syndrome. We especially want to thank The International Rett Syndrome Foundation and the Rett Syndrome Research Trust for their participation in this project and the appropriate permissions to reprint their wonderful resources here on our site.
Rett Syndrome is a unique developmental disorder caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2. It rarely strikes boys and typically is recognized in infancy. It is often misdiagnosed as autism or cerebral palsy and like autism appears after a period of apparently normal or near normal development. [Source: IRSF]
This debilitating syndrome includes symptoms seen in many other severe neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders on which Rett research may shed light:

• Regression, including loss of speech, motor control and functional hand use
• Autonomic instability and sleep disturbances
• Autistic behaviors and sensory issues
• Impaired cardiac, circulatory and digestive functions
• Parkinsonian tremors
• Many varieties of seizures, often untreatable
• Anxiety
• Apraxia
• Dystonia
• Orthopedic problems including scoliosis and osteopenia

[Source: RSRT]
Please choose to learn more about Rett Syndrome. You can visit our Rett Syndrome Page HERE