Special Learning FAQs

Rett Syndrome is not a hereditary disease. It is caused by a genetic mutation, not by genes passed on from the parents. For any parent to actually pass the gene for Rett Syndrome to a child, that parent must actually have Rett Syndrome and exhibit the classic symptoms (and it is virtually impossible for adults with Rett Syndrome to have children).

Rett Syndrome is the most disabling of the Austism Spectrum Disorder classifications. It is a disorder of the nervous system that is usually diagnosed as early as 6 to 18 months of age and usually affects females.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is the delivery of new technological or visual implementations in order to effectively communicate with the autistic person.

Manual signing is an effective communication strategy for some children with autism due to its visual nature backing up verbal communication.

The following are considered as the early signs mostly noticed at home:

● Non-reaction to sounds, calling by name
● Delayed or absent speech development
● Repetitive behaviors, or obsessive play
● Odd responses or lack of response to sensory input
● Loss of developed skills

Classic Autism is also known as Early Infantile Autism, Childhood Autism or Kanner’s Autism.