Rett Syndrome Program

NEW DIRECTOR: WALTER KAUFMANN, MD

We’re excited to welcome neurologist Walter Kaufmann, MD, as director of the Rett Syndrome Program. In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Kaufmann studies the causes of cognitive and behavioral problems in children with Rett syndrome and other genetic disorders linked to intellectual disability and autism. He has led many laboratory investigations, clinical studies and drug trials of targeted therapies for these disorders, including a new phase 2 trial of IGF-1 for Rett syndrome. He is founder and chair of the international RettSearch consortium.

Overview

In our Rett Syndrome Program at Children’s Hospital Boston, we are dedicated to helping children and adults who have Rett syndrome and related conditions develop to their full potential.

The symptoms of Rett syndrome often can be helped with specialized medical care and behavioral and rehabilitative therapies. We bring together a team of physicians and therapists from various fields who have expertise and experience in caring for children with Rett syndrome, and together we provide continuous, close care for our patients.

Our aim is to work with your child and family to choose the best combination of therapies and medication to manage your child’s symptoms and to help her learn and develop.

We are optimistic about recent scientific developments about Rett syndrome, and our program is collaborating with researchers to translate their discoveries into meaningful treatments for our patients.