An exploration of the use of eye gaze and gestures in females with Rett syndrome

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the communicative the use of eye gaze and gestures were investigated using use of eye gaze and gestures in females with Rett multivariate linear regression. syndrome. Results: Both eye gaze and the use of gestures predicted Method: Data on 151 females with Rett syndrome the ability to make requests. Women aged 19 years or older participating in the Australian Rett Syndrome Database had the lowest scores for eye gaze. Females with better was used in this study. Items from the Communication gross motor abilities had higher scores for the use of eye and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile gaze and gestures. The use of eye gaze did not vary across Infant–Toddler Checklist (Wetherby & Prizant, 2002) were mutation groups, but those with a C-terminal deletion had used to measure communication. Relationships between the highest scores for use of gestures. the use of eye gaze and gestures for communication were Conclusions: Eye gaze is used more frequently than investigated using logistic regression. The influences of gestures for communication, and this is related to age, MECP2 mutation type, age, and level of motor abilities on MECP2 mutation type, and gross motor abilities.