Rett Syndrome Essay

1999 Words8 Pages

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. It is characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability. The disorder was identified by Dr Andreas Rett, an Austrian physician who first described it in 1966. It was not until after a second article about the disorder, published in 1983 by Swedish researcher Dr Bengt Hagberg, that the disorder was generally recognized (Neul et al, 2010) The course of RTT, including the age of onset and the severity of symptoms, varies from child to child. Before the symptoms …show more content…

The apraxia and associated motor function loss, combined with various mental delays and communication issues makes it incredibly taxing on the individual, as well as carers and teachers involved. The physical components of RTT will impact the structure and the layout of the classroom more than anything, as well as being mindful of the occupational therapy and medical resources required for the apraxia and limb problems. These issues are common amongst schools and most will have similar best-practice policies in place for timings etc. However, the communication issues exhibited by those with RTT are often more likely to require one-on-one teaching and hence remove the student from normal classrooms. The severity of the syndrome should not discourage a teacher from working with the child, whether training in special education or not. Simple skills similar to those used for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities and even behavioural problems have proven successful. Understanding the delays of the student, providing simple choices using a variety of communication techniques and supporting the mental well-being of the student through peer-to-peer socialising, are all vital in ensuring the student continues to take part in as normal schooling life as