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Professor Jenny Downs

Head, Child Disability

Dr Emma Glasson

Senior Research Fellow

Evaluation Tools Developed for Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a complex neurodevelopmental X-linked disorder associated with severe functional impairments and multiple comorbidities. There is wide variation in the clinical presentation, and because of its unique characteristics, several evaluation tools of clinical severity, behavior, and functional motor abilities have been proposed specifically for it.

Burden of illness in Rett syndrome: initial evaluation of a disorder-specific caregiver survey

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder associated with multiple neurologic impairments. Previous studies have shown challenges to the quality of life of individuals with RTT and their caregivers. However, instruments applied to quantify disease burden have not adequately captured the impact of these impairments on affected individuals and their families. Consequently, an international collaboration of stakeholders aimed at evaluating Burden of Illness in RTT was organized.

Associations between genotype, phenotype and behaviours measured by the Rett syndrome behaviour questionnaire in Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with developmental impairments, comorbidities, and abnormal behaviours such as hand stereotypies and emotional features. The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) was developed to describe the behavioural and emotional features of RTT.

"What about us?"- the drawbacks of current bruxism assessment criteria in evaluating vulnerable groups

Jenny Helen Kingsley Downs Leonard Wong BApplSci (physio) MSc PhD MBChB MPH MBBS, MPH, MMedStat Head, Child Disability Principal Research Fellow

Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire in Children and Adults With Rett Syndrome: Psychometric Characterization and Revised Factor Structure

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with multiple neurobehavioral abnormalities. The Rett Syndrome Behaviour Questionnaire (RSBQ) was developed for pediatric RTT observational studies. Because its application has expanded to adult and interventional studies, we evaluated the RSBQ's psychometric properties in six pediatric (n = 323) and five adult (n = 309) datasets.

CDKL5 deficiency disorder: clinical features, diagnosis, and management

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) was first identified as a cause of human disease in 2004. Although initially considered a variant of Rett syndrome, CDD is now recognised as an independent disorder and classified as a developmental epileptic encephalopathy.

Aspects of speech-language abilities are influenced by MECP2 mutation type in girls with Rett syndrome

This study explored relationships between speech and language abilities in girls with Rett syndrome and how they may be affected by the type of genetic mutation

Parental perspectives on the communication abilities of their daughters with Rett syndrome

We interviewed 17 parents with a daughter with Rett syndrome to gain their perspectives on how their daughter communicates and barriers.