School’s out: Interactive tele-education for Rett patients at the time of COVID.

Abstract

The "Interactive School" project originated in a historical moment in which Italy and almost all countries in the world are experiencing and facing the fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) contagion. Many countries, including Italy, have imposed the closure of schools, universities, and all centers that host patients with Rett Syndrome (RTT), a rare disease that heavily impacts on autonomy, mobility, and some cognitive and communication abilities of the affected subjects. As a consequence, we decided to launch a remotely operated, Interactive School program specifically oriented to Rett patients, and in this article, we briefly provide a report of the ongoing activity. The Interactive School project exploits an easy-to-use technological system designed to be as acceptable as possible for families with RTT patients. We are currently using this system with positive feedback from both families and patients. This is encouraging and confirms the design and realization choices. Public Significance StatementThis study advances the idea that both parents and therapists working with subjects with Rett Syndrome can benefit from a remotely operated Interactive School program. This Interactive School program may be easier to incorporate into both clinical settings and patients' daily life.