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Behavioral relationship between autism and fragile x syndrome
Jenny L Demark1, Maurice A Feldman, Jeanette J A Holden
1Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
American Journal of Mental Retardation : AJMR
|August 7, 2003
Summary
Nearly half of children with fragile X syndrome exhibit autistic features. However, qualitative differences in autistic-like behaviors may exist between fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Autistic features have been previously observed in children diagnosed with fragile X syndrome.
- Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder often associated with intellectual disability and developmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare autistic features in children with pervasive developmental disorders (autism group) and fragile X syndrome.
- To investigate potential qualitative differences in autistic-like behaviors between these two groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and Reiss Scales for Children's Dual Diagnosis.
- Compared 21 children with autism to 15 children with fragile X syndrome.
Main Results:
- 47% of children with fragile X syndrome scored above the CARS cut-off for autism.
- Children with fragile X and autistic features showed greater impairment in emotion, sensory responses, and communication compared to fragile X children without autism.
- The autism group had higher Reiss Scale scores than the fragile X-no autism group, but not the fragile X-autism group.
Conclusions:
- The Childhood Autism Rating Scale identifies a significant proportion of children with fragile X syndrome as having autism.
- Qualitative distinctions in autistic-like behaviors may differentiate children with fragile X syndrome from those with idiopathic autism spectrum disorder.