Hydrotherapy for a young child with Rett syndrome. Review of the literature and a case study

Rett syndrome (RS) is an X-linked genetic disorder mainly affecting females, who are challenged by several difficulties affecting many areas of their daily lives. Their neurological and orthopedic disabilities obligate extensive physical care, but their fear of movement, typical for many, leaves them extremely anxious of external uncontrolled movements. Thus, to ease them into physical treatment, some kind of mediation is warranted. One of the favored environments for individuals with RS is the hydrotherapeutic pool. The warm water helps reduce spasticity and softens rigid tissues, as well as assisting in calming the client if agitated by motion. Water provides the individual with RS intense stimulation and enables free and easy movement, without the fear of falling and without the use of assistive devices. Spending time in a pool puts the individual with RS in a normative place. Water provides her with new and exciting experiences, enabling her to function in ways she is unable to achieve outside the water. In some cases, the water enables the person with RS to express her lost and sometimes latent motor skills. The aim of this article is to describe the clinical characteristics of individuals with RS and to present their challenges. The intention of this article is to explain the importance of water as a mediating environment for managing the person with RS, to describe commonalities in the hydrotherapeutic intervention for this population, as well as to present a case study of effective intervention strategies for a young child.