A SHORT FILM ABOUT RETT SYNDROME
AND THE CIRCLE OF ANGELS RESEARCH FUND
INTRODUCED BY JULIA ROBERTS
What is Rett syndrome?
Rett syndrome is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by normal early development followed by loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, gait abnormalities, seizures, and mental retardation. It affects females almost exclusively.
Rett syndrome affects each child differently, affecting some only mildly while others, severely. At first the child appears to grow and develop normally. Then, gradually, mental and physical symptoms appear. Hypotonia (loss of muscle tone) is usually the first symptom. As the syndrome progresses, the child loses purposeful use of her hands and the ability to speak. Other early symptoms may include problems crawling or walking and diminished eye contact. The loss of functional use of the hands is followed by compulsive hand movements such as wringing and washing. The onset of this period of regression is sometimes sudden.
Most kids with Rett syndrome have problems with paraxial, or the inability to perform motor functions. It is the most severely disabling feature of Rett syndrome, interfering with every body movement, including eye gaze and speech.
Individuals with Rett syndrome often exhibit autistic-like behaviors in the early stages. Other symptoms may include toe walking; sleep problems; wide-based gait; teeth grinding and difficulty chewing; slowed growth; seizures; cognitive disabilities; and breathing difficulties while awake such as hyperventilation, apnea (breath holding), and air swallowing.