In 1966, an Austrian doctor named Andreas Rett, published a report informing people about this disorder. According to the International Rett Syndrome Association (IRSA), Dr. Rett became interested when he noticed two young girls in his office suffering from the same symptoms. Upon further investigation, he discovered that there were six other girls in his office who had the same symptoms. He thought that these eight girls shared the same disorder. She began doing further research by filming these girls and traveling around Europe to find others suffering from the same symptoms. The purpose of this article is to inform people about Rett syndrome, its causes, characteristics, and ways to help someone deal with this rare disease. Rett syndrome is a disorder that falls within the autism spectrum disorders. It is the most physically disabling disorder on the autism spectrum. Rett syndrome is a disorder that affects the nervous system and is found almost exclusively in girls. According to the Rett Syndrome Research Trust, Rett syndrome affects one in ten thousand women. In the United States, approximately sixteen thousand women and children are affected by this syndrome. The age at which Rett syndrome begins to show signs and the severity of symptoms varies from child to child. Women diagnosed with Rett syndrome appear to develop normally, until they are about six to eighteen months old. At that time they appear to be developing normally. The first symptom that stands out is that they no longer have the ability to carry out motor functions. One of the most stereotypical behaviors of someone diagnosed with Rett syndrome is hand clasping and repetitive hand… middle of paper… therapy. Improvements in the diagnosis of Rett syndrome are still unmatched in treatment. Medicine can offer only supportive measures: feeding tubes, orthopedic braces, surgeries, and trials of standard seizure medications that are often ineffective in Rett syndrome. Treatment for the disorder is symptomatic, focused on symptom management, and supportive. Medication may be needed for breathing irregularities and walking difficulties, and antiseizure drugs may be used to control seizures. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and hydrotherapy can prolong mobility. Some children may need special equipment and aids, such as braces to stop scoliosis, splints to modify hand movements, and nutrition programs to help them maintain a healthy weight. In some cases, special academic, social, vocational and support services (NINDS) may be needed).