What happens to girls with Rett syndrome as they get older?
In some girls with Rett syndrome, the body and mind keep growing and developing, but at a much slower rate. They have coordination problems, so they may not be able to walk backward or walk up the stairs. They also have learning disabilities, including problems remembering facts, understanding ideas and solving problems. The lives of these girls are similar to the lives of people with other developmental disabilities, such as autism or Down syndrome. Other girls with Rett syndrome lose more of their motor skills. They stop being able to sit up or use their hands. Some of them have seizures; others have trouble breathing while they are awake. Still others laugh or scream during the night for no apparent reason. A number of these girls develop scoliosis, which is a curving of the spine. By the time they reach their 20s, many of these girls are left completely helpless. They can’t move and can’t speak. These girls are at greater risk for dying suddenly and from unexplained causes. What ca
