Andreas Rett

Andreas Rett (January 2, 1924 in Fürth, Bavaria – April 25, 1997 in Vienna) was an Austrian neurologist and author. Rett is famous for his research on neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly for his description of Rett syndrome, which was named after him, and for pioneering treatment based on the belief that disabled children also have a right to fulfillment of their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. He received many awards, including the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.

Biography

Andreas Rett went to school in Innsbruck. His father owned a cleaning services company and wanted his son to follow in his footsteps, but Andreas Rett instead chose to study medicine, resulting in his father disinheriting him. He graduated as a physician in 1949. He then trained in paediatrics, and in 1955 he was appointed head of the facility for mentally retarded children at a home for the aged in Lainz. In 1963 he built up a factory, in which neurologically sick youngsters could work. His belief was that disabled children also do have a right to fulfillment of their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

Rett's academic career began in 1967, when he was appointed as lecturer in neurology and paediatrics at the University of Vienna, in 1973 being promoted to the rank of associate professor. In 1966 he published the first description of Rett syndrome.[1] From 1967 he was also head of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Research in Brain Disordered Children. He has published more than 250 articles.

After his death, he received some criticism for having been listed as a member of the Hitler Jugend and the Nazi Party as a child and young adult. Andreas Rett was only nine years old when the Nazis came to power in Germany and 21 years old at the time of the regime's demise. In recent years he has also been criticized in Austria of using research data derived from Action T4, although he himself was never involved in Action T4.[2]

Decorations and awards

Notes

  1. ↑ International Rett Syndrome Foundation History of Rett Syndrome
  2. ↑ Ronen, G.M.; Meany, B.; Dan, B.; Zimprich, F.; Stögmann, W.; Neugebauer, W. (2009). "From eugenic euthanasia to habilitation of "disabled" children: Andreas Rett's contribution". J Child Neurol. 24 (1): 115–127. doi:10.1177/0883073808321763.

D. Kondziella, 2009. Eur Neurol. 2009;62(1):56-6

External links


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