Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects movement and communication skills primarily in females. This study aimed to synthesize the research from the last two decades regarding the verbal and nonverbal communication abilities, a...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Brain Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/753 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849246751797542912 |
|---|---|
| author | Louiza Voniati Angelos Papadopoulos Nafsika Ziavra Dionysios Tafiadis |
| author_facet | Louiza Voniati Angelos Papadopoulos Nafsika Ziavra Dionysios Tafiadis |
| author_sort | Louiza Voniati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects movement and communication skills primarily in females. This study aimed to synthesize the research from the last two decades regarding the verbal and nonverbal communication abilities, assessment procedures, and intervention approaches for individuals with RTT. <b>Methods:</b> A structured literature search was conducted using the Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Fifty-seven studies were selected and analyzed based on inclusion criteria. The data were categorized into four domains (verbal communication skills, nonverbal communication skills, assessment procedures, and intervention approaches). <b>Results:</b> The findings indicated a wide variety of communicative behaviors across the RTT population, including prelinguistic signals, regression in verbal output, and preserved nonverbal communicative intent. Moreover, the results highlighted the importance of tailored assessments (Inventory of Potential Communicative Acts, eye tracking tools, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to facilitate functional communication. The individualized intervention approaches were found to be the most effective in improving communicative participation. <b>Conclusions:</b> The current review provides an overview of the current evidence with an emphasis on the need for personalized and evidence-based clinical practices. Additionally, it provided guidance for professionals, clinicians, and researchers seeking to improve the quality of life for individuals with RTT. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-baf01fcbfe184bc0bca0bc36e8e32e32 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-baf01fcbfe184bc0bca0bc36e8e32e322025-08-20T03:58:25ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-07-0115775310.3390/brainsci15070753Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative ReviewLouiza Voniati0Angelos Papadopoulos1Nafsika Ziavra2Dionysios Tafiadis3Department of Health Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy, European University, Nicosia 22006, CyprusDepartment of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45 500 Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45 500 Ioannina, GreeceDepartment of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45 500 Ioannina, Greece<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that affects movement and communication skills primarily in females. This study aimed to synthesize the research from the last two decades regarding the verbal and nonverbal communication abilities, assessment procedures, and intervention approaches for individuals with RTT. <b>Methods:</b> A structured literature search was conducted using the Embase, Scopus, and PubMed databases. Fifty-seven studies were selected and analyzed based on inclusion criteria. The data were categorized into four domains (verbal communication skills, nonverbal communication skills, assessment procedures, and intervention approaches). <b>Results:</b> The findings indicated a wide variety of communicative behaviors across the RTT population, including prelinguistic signals, regression in verbal output, and preserved nonverbal communicative intent. Moreover, the results highlighted the importance of tailored assessments (Inventory of Potential Communicative Acts, eye tracking tools, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to facilitate functional communication. The individualized intervention approaches were found to be the most effective in improving communicative participation. <b>Conclusions:</b> The current review provides an overview of the current evidence with an emphasis on the need for personalized and evidence-based clinical practices. Additionally, it provided guidance for professionals, clinicians, and researchers seeking to improve the quality of life for individuals with RTT.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/753Rett syndrome (RTT)communicative abilitiesassessmentinterventionspeech-pathologynarrative review |
| spellingShingle | Louiza Voniati Angelos Papadopoulos Nafsika Ziavra Dionysios Tafiadis Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review Brain Sciences Rett syndrome (RTT) communicative abilities assessment intervention speech-pathology narrative review |
| title | Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Communication Abilities, Assessment Procedures, and Intervention Approaches in Rett Syndrome: A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | communication abilities assessment procedures and intervention approaches in rett syndrome a narrative review |
| topic | Rett syndrome (RTT) communicative abilities assessment intervention speech-pathology narrative review |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/7/753 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT louizavoniati communicationabilitiesassessmentproceduresandinterventionapproachesinrettsyndromeanarrativereview AT angelospapadopoulos communicationabilitiesassessmentproceduresandinterventionapproachesinrettsyndromeanarrativereview AT nafsikaziavra communicationabilitiesassessmentproceduresandinterventionapproachesinrettsyndromeanarrativereview AT dionysiostafiadis communicationabilitiesassessmentproceduresandinterventionapproachesinrettsyndromeanarrativereview |