Rett Syndrome

What is Rett Syndrome?

Rett Syndrome is the most severe form of autism. It is a debilitating neurological disorder that predominantly affects females. It potentially affects one in 5,000 girls.

What causes Rett Syndrome?
Rett Syndrome is caused by a single gene mutation that leads to underproduction of an important brain protein.


Imagine having a normal, healthy baby girl, who develops and thrives and does everything she's supposed to do. You love and care for her and enjoy each developmental milestone as she reaches them. Then, between the ages of 1 and 3 years of age, she begins to lose her abilities.

She doesn't make eye contact anymore, she doesn't babble or talk like she used to, she loses fine motor control in her hands and you see her have difficulty walking and climbing up stairs.

The fact is that Rett Syndrome is the leading genetic cause of severe impairment in girls. Compared to their physical disabilities and numerous regressions, most girls with Retts are believed to be functioning at a higher level mentally.

The good news that offers hope for many families who have girls with Retts, is that scientists and researches from top-notch institutions around the world are studying Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome is a potentially REVERSIBLE disorder. Research has proven once protein levels are back to normal levels, symptoms subside.

Researchers and scientists are a long way from curing all girls with Rett Syndrome, but they're headed in the right direction.

Can you help?

Girl Power 2 Cure is an organization that seeks to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome, give support to families affected by Rett Syndrome, and fund research for a cure for Rett Syndrome.

Please check them out here and consider donating to make a huge difference in the life of a girl with Rett Syndrome!