Communication Skills in Girls With Rett Syndrome

• Published in: Focus on autism and other developmental disabilities Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 15 - 24
• Main Authors: Bartolotta, Theresa E., Zipp, Genevieve P., Simpkins, Susan D., Glazewski, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2011; SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Allied Health Personnel; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Australia; Canada; Cognition; Communication; Communication Skills; Developmental Disabilities; Europe (West); Eye; Eye Movements; Females; Foreign Countries; Genetic Disorders; Language; Motor task performance; Neurodevelopmental disorders; Neurological Impairments; Nonverbal Communication; Parents; Rett syndrome; Severe Mental Retardation; Speech; Speech Language Pathology; Surveys; Teachers; United States; Canada; Australia; United States; Europe; communication modalities; treatment; survey; Rett Syndrome
• ISSN: 1088-3576; 1538-4829
• DOI: 10.1177/1088357610380042

Rett Syndrome (RS) is an X-linked, neurodevelopmental disorder that occurs primarily in females and causes significant impairment in cognition, motor control, and communication. Teachers and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) encounter girls with RS with increasing frequency as awareness of the disorder increases, yet the literature on clinical interventions with this population is limited. Parents, teachers, and SLPs were surveyed regarding the communication abilities of these girls. Respondents reported that girls with RS use multiple modalities to communicate, with eye gaze the most frequently used modality, followed by picture/symbol systems and body movements. This study provides clinical information for professionals working with girls with RS, and supports the need for additional research on strategies to improve communication in RS.