Parental perspectives on the communication abilities of their daughters with Rett syndrome
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Developmental Neurorehabilitation
Publisher
Informa
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School
School of Psychology and Social Science
RAS ID
18701
Abstract
Objective: This study describes, from the perspective of parents, how females with Rett syndrome communicate in everyday life and the barriers and facilitators to successful communication. Methods: Sixteen interviews were conducted with parents with a daughter with Rett syndrome with a pathogenic mutation in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analysed using directed content analysis. Results: All parents reported their daughters were able to express discomfort and pleasure, and make requests and choices using a variety of modalities including vocalisations, body movements and eye gaze. Parents also reported their daughters understood most of what they said and that the level of functional abilities, such as mobility, and environmental factors, such as characteristics of the communication partner, influenced successful communication. Conclusions: The perspectives of parents are integral to the assessment of communication abilities and have the potential to inform communication interventions for girls and women with Rett syndrome.
DOI
10.3109/17518423.2013.879940
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Urbanowicz, A. , Leonard, H., Girdler, S., Ciccone, N. A., & Downs, J. (2016). Parental perspectives on the communication abilities of their daughters with Rett syndrome. Developmental Neurorehabilitation,19(1), 17-25. Available here