Rett syndrome and ageing: a case study

Purpose: This case study of an elderly women with Rett syndrome is used to consider whether observed changes may be related to physiological processes involved in ageing or environmental adaptations, which is important for de livery of rehabilitation. Method: The life story of a woman with Rett syndrome who lived to the age o f 60 is presented. It is based on medical records, older and more recent vi deotapes, and interviews with her sister and care staff. Results: After 21 years without walking, following intensive physiotherapy, she regained the ability to walk without support. She also showed improvem ent in hand use a few years before she died. During the early regression sh e appeared to lose social interest. The interest improved after some time, but she remained wary of people she did not know. Conclusion: The walking and hand use indicate that these functions may have been present to a greater extent than assumed by people in the environment and that her poor function reflects dyspraxia and lack of opportunity and training rather than lack of ability. Although more studies of elderly wome n with Rett syndrome is needed to answer whether the observed changes were due to physiological processes involved in aging or environmental adaptatio ns, the present case story demonstrates that identification of females with Rett syndrome is important at all age levels.