Becky Quick recently spoke about her 9-year-old daughter Kaylie’s private struggle with a rare genetic disorder. In an interview with People, published Thursday, January 8, the 53-year-old co-anchor of CNBC’s Squawk Box revealed that Kaylie has SYNGAP1. According to the Child Neurology Foundation, SYNGAP1 is a genetic condition that can cause seizures and developmental challenges. Quick recalled that she first noticed something was off “probably around 8 months,” when Kaylie wasn’t reaching her developmental milestones.“Sometimes her eyes would cross. You just know as a mom that something isn’t right,” Quick told People, adding that after observing her daughter and reviewing developmental studies, it became clear that Kaylie wasn’t meeting expected benchmarks. “We immediately began working with therapists. They supported Kaylie in rolling over, achieving fluid movements, eventually walking, and so many other skills. But we also noticed additional concerns developing.”Becky Quick Daughter Battles SYNGAP1For nearly a decade, Quick has kept her daughter Kaylie’s SYNGAP1 diagnosis private. The condition, as defined by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is a rare genetic disorder that can lead to a variety of neurodevelopmental challenges. It currently has no cure and often requires round-the-clock care.The journalist took Kaylie to her pediatrician, who recommended a study with a developmental specialist. The results confirmed Quick’s fears: her daughter was not reaching key milestones.“We started working with therapists immediately,” Quick said. “[They] helped Kaylie develop rolling, fluid movement, eventually walking, and many other skills. But we also observed additional issues.”A neurologist then performed an EEG study, which revealed that Kaylie was experiencing subclinical seizures — subtle seizures that aren’t visibly noticeable. A subsequent genetic test confirmed that Kaylie had SYNGAP1.What Is SYNGAP1?SYNGAP1 (SRD) refers both to a gene and the rare neurological disorder it causes. The condition is marked by intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism spectrum traits, arising from a mutation that reduces the SynGAP protein, which is essential for proper synaptic function in the brain, according to MedlinePlus. Without adequate SYNGAP1 protein, synapses become overly excitable, impairing communication between neurons and leading to the neurological difficulties observed in SYNGAP1 patients, as per National Institute of Health.Becky Quick Daughter: What Are The Symptoms Of SRD?SYNGAP1 is considered a spectrum disorder, meaning patients experience symptoms differently and with varying severity. The exact factors influencing symptom expression or intensity remain unclear. The most commonly observed signs include, as per NIH:Intellectual Disability (mild to severe)Hypotonia (low muscle tone)Global Developmental DelayEpilepsy (including subtle eyelid flutters, brief jerks, staring spells, and drop seizures)Sensory Processing DisorderDelays in Gross and Fine Motor SkillsDyspraxia (coordination difficulties)Speech Delay/Apraxia (mild to severe)Autism Spectrum DisorderSleep and Behavior DisordersVisual AbnormalitiesNot every patient will exhibit all of these symptoms.Becky Quick Daughter: What Causes SRD?SYNGAP1-related disorders arise from a variant on the SYNGAP1 gene (6p.21.32). Each human cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, totaling 46, with thousands of genes on each chromosome. Most genes come in pairs, one inherited from each parent, and their primary role is to produce proteins that regulate tissues and organs.When a gene experiences a variant, sometimes called a mutation or alteration — it can stop functioning properly. Variants occur naturally, similar to a typo when DNA is copied from cell to cell, or they may result from environmental factors.A de novo variant is a genetic change that appears for the first time in a family, occurring early in reproductive development. Most SYNGAP1 patients carry de novo variants. For families with a genetic report, understanding the variant can help clarify the diagnosis and guide next steps.