Fragile X Syndrome

Difference between Fragile X vs. Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is not passed down but genetic, however, Fragile X is an inherited disorder and is the common inherited form of intellectual disability (ID)

Facts:

• inherited

• much more common in males than females (given that men only. have an X chromosome)

• high rate of anxiety

• difficulty to identify before age 3 due to subtly of physical characteristics unlike DS which is noticeable at birth

• w/ increasing age → characteristic emerge

• characteristics:

  • elongated faces

  • long prominent ears highly arched palate

  • enlarged head

  • hypotonia

  • flat feet → hyper extensible finger joints

Literacy:

• expressive and receptive skills of boys with FXS are better than boys w/ DS

• only 2% of boys achieve age-appropriate reading scores

• phonological skills plateau around age 10.

• ADHD

• Autism-high rate in makes (+50%)

Form/Content/Use