Rett Syndrome

A rare genetic neurological condition, primarily affecting girls, impacting movement, communication, and cognition.
  • enableDex
  • disAbility Atlas
    • Rett Syndrome

About

Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that predominantly affects girls. It leads to severe impairments in motor function, communication, and cognition after a period of normal early development. Common features include loss of purposeful hand use, slowed growth, and seizures.

This condition is often invisible.

Many disabilities, including this one, may not have outward signs—people can be significantly impacted even if they appear “fine” on the outside.

Common Challenges

  • Limited fine motor skills for tasks like typing or assembly
  • Communication difficulties that affect interactions
  • Seizure management and need for medical supervision
  • Fatigue and physical stamina limitations
  • Sensory sensitivities to light, sound, or movement
  • Need for frequent breaks or position changes

Practitioner Help

  • Identify supported or highly structured roles matching abilities
  • Coordinate with therapists to develop communication aids
  • Advocate for on-site medical support and emergency planning
  • Recommend adaptive technologies for communication and tasks
  • Support fatigue management through flexible scheduling

Common Accommodations

  • Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices
  • Clear instructions and step-by-step guidance
  • A quiet, safe workspace to reduce seizure triggers
  • Ability to work from a seated position
  • Adjustable workstations to reduce strain
  • A quiet or low-sensory workspace
  • Job coaching or ongoing support
View more on enableDex

Notes

Rett Syndrome is progressive and requires ongoing adjustments as needs change. A highly supportive and predictable environment with appropriate therapies maximises participation and quality of life.

October is Rett Syndrome Awareness Month

Resources

Help Us Improve the Knowledge Hub

This Knowledge Hub is a living library that relies on community feedback to stay current, accurate, and effective for everyone. We welcome all submissions, whether you've spotted an error, have an improvement idea, or want to suggest a new topic.

Report an Inaccuracy

Help us correct outdated information, broken links, or any factual errors you find.

Suggest an Improvement

Suggest an improvement to make an existing profile or resource much clearer.
submit feedback