An Exploration of the Use of Eye Gaze and Gestures in Females With Rett Syndrome.
This study investigated the communicative use of eye gaze and gestures in females with Rett syndrome.



Data on 151 females with Rett syndrome participating in the Australian Rett Syndrome Database was used in this study. Items from the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist (Wetherby & Prizant, 2002) were used to measure communication. Relationships between the use of eye gaze and gestures for communication were investigated using logistic regression. The influences of MECP2 mutation type, age, and level of motor abilities on the use of eye gaze and gestures were investigated using multivariate linear regression.



Both eye gaze and the use of gestures predicted the ability to make requests. Women aged 19 years or older had the lowest scores for eye gaze. Females with better gross motor abilities had higher scores for the use of eye gaze and gestures. The use of eye gaze did not vary across mutation groups, but those with a C-terminal deletion had the highest scores for use of gestures.



Eye gaze is used more frequently than gestures for communication, and this is related to age, MECP2 mutation type, and gross motor abilities.
Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Australia, Perth, Western AustraliaSchool of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.
Anna
A
Urbanowicz
Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Australia, Perth, Western AustraliaSchool of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.
Jenny
J
Downs
School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.
Sonya
S
Girdler
School of Psychology and Social Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia.
Natalie
N
Ciccone
Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
Helen
H
Leonard
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005133:Eye Movements; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / Q000235:genetics; D009043:Motor Activity; D015518:Rett Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
C497392:MECP2 protein, human; D051783:Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2