Blue Bird Circle Rett Center

One of the nation’s largest resources for families of children with Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects brain development, causing learning disabilities and difficulties with speech, movement and other skills. At Texas Children’s Hospital, the Blue Bird Circle Rett Center provides specialized care for children with Rett syndrome. Our experts in neurogenetic disorders offer advanced diagnostic and genetic testing, treatments and ongoing care to manage this complex disorder. We also connect your family with resources and support.

Our center is named for The Blue Bird Circle, a unique organization of women volunteers created in 1923 to promote the well-being of humanity through the betterment of the community. The Circle provides more than $1,000,000 and 100,000 volunteer hours each year in support to Texas Children’s programs.

What is Rett syndrome?

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that most often affects females, causing a gradual loss of movement, coordination and language skills. Babies with Rett syndrome typically develop as expected for the first several months of their lives. Then they begin to lose skills they had already developed, such as the ability to crawl, walk, communicate or use their hands. Rett syndrome causes wide-ranging signs and symptoms, such as:

Chewing and swallowing problems
Difficulty with movement and coordination, especially in the hands
Failure to thrive
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a digestive disorder
Learning disabilities
Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
Seizures

Nationally recognized experts in Rett syndrome care

At the Blue Bird Circle Clinic Rett Center, our doctors, surgeons, nurses and other providers have advanced training and years of experience in Rett syndrome care. The International Rett Syndrome Foundation has designated our program as a Center of Excellence in recognition of our best-in-class care for children with this complex disorder.

When you come to the Rett Center, you and your child will meet with several team members, as appropriate, in our comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation. Our team includes a pediatric neurologist, a neurogeneticist, a gastroenterologist, an orthopedic spine surgeon, pediatric nurses and trained volunteers from the Blue Bird Circle.

Groundbreaking research in diagnosing and treating Rett syndrome

Our team conducts research, through the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI), to better understand this complex neurogenetic disorder. At the Rett Center, your child has access to clinical trials that offer promising new treatments that aren’t widely available. Learn more about our Rett Center research.