Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder primarily affecting females.
• It significantly impacts motor and communication skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize research from the past two decades on communication in RTT.
• To explore verbal/nonverbal communication, assessment, and intervention strategies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across Embase, Scopus, and PubMed.
• Fifty-seven studies were analyzed and categorized into four communication domains.

Main Results:

• Individuals with RTT exhibit diverse communication behaviors, including prelinguistic signals and preserved nonverbal intent.
• Tailored assessments and individualized interventions are crucial for functional communication and participation.

Conclusions:

• The review emphasizes personalized, evidence-based clinical practices for RTT.
• It offers guidance to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Rett syndrome.