Games and play in the Rett syndrome.

Play is at the heart of our first relationship. Through play we learn to communicate, gain experience and flex our imagination. Once started, the play process continues throughout our lives only becoming more sophisticated as it diversifies into areas of leisure activities, relationships and foundations for work experiences. Play for the Rett child is the first and basic stage that other children leap from, but it remains wrapped in a close relationship that she continues to need throughout her life. It is not only the key to her present but the way to her future. The aim of this lecture is to suggest how play, hence communication, can be instigated in a child who may appear withdrawn and not only disinterested but unable to cope with toys. It deals with, how to see through the child's eyes, how to start, what to do, and how to develop what has been started. Energetic play, skillful play imaginative play, puzzle play, what they provide and how they can be adapted for the Rett child are also dealt with. The conclusion is that play is not only of primary importance in any relationship with the Rett child with parent, carer, therapist or teacher, but it is also very often the only way into such a relationship. The pathway laid down between infant and parent built with love and trust around the games they play together, will not only remain but will grow with the use of all the friends and teachers who follow on.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)