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TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism
Published on: December 28, 2010
Motor abilities of children diagnosed with fragile X syndrome with and without autism
C Zingerevich1, L Greiss-Hess, K Lemons-Chitwood
1Occupational Therapy Department, Rady Children Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA.
Insights
Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show impaired fine motor skills. Cognitive level, not autism severity, is linked to these motor deficits in FXS.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Pediatric neurology
- Developmental psychology
Background:
- Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is frequently comorbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).
- Fine motor skills are a key developmental area affected in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe fine motor abilities in children with FXS.
- To compare motor skills between children with FXS with and without ASD.
- To investigate the influence of cognitive level on motor skills in this population.
Main Methods:
- Forty-eight children diagnosed with FXS (ages 12-76 months) were assessed.
- Mullen Scales of Early Learning and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule were administered.
- Parental interviews (Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised) and statistical analyses (ANOVA, Pearson correlation, ANCOVA) were employed.
Main Results:
- 60% of children with FXS met criteria for ASD or PDD-NOS.
- Children with FXS and ASD/PDD-NOS exhibited lower fine motor scores compared to those without.
- Motor impairment was not significantly associated with autism severity after controlling for cognitive level.
Conclusions:
- Children with FXS and co-occurring ASD are at higher risk for impaired fine motor abilities.
- Cognitive level plays a more significant role in motor deficits than autism severity in FXS.
- Findings have implications for developmental support and targeted interventions.
Background:
Previous studies suggested that children diagnosed with fragile X syndrome (FXS) often meet criteria for autism or PDD. This study describes the fine motor abilities of children diagnosed with FXS with and without autism spectrum disorder, and compares the motor scores of those groups controlling for cognitive level.
Method:
Forty-eight children, ages 12-76 months (SD = 16) diagnosed with FXS were assessed with the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. Their parents were interviewed with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised. We used a one-way analysis of variance to determine if the fine motor scale of the Mullen would show group differences based on autism classifications for the sample. In addition, we used Pearson correlation coefficient to examine the relationship between the cognitive level, the autism severity and the motor abilities. Lastly, we conducted a one-way analysis of covariance to determine the difference between the motor abilities of the Autism Spectrum Disorder groups controlling for cognitive level.
Results:
We found that 60% of the children with FXS met criteria for autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Children with FXS with autism and PDD-NOS had lower fine motor scores than those without. However, there was no significant association between degree of motor impairment and communication and social impairments after controlling for cognitive level, indicating that cognitive level contributes to impaired motor abilities of children diagnosed with FXS and autism, more than the severity of autism symptoms.
Conclusion:
children with FXS and autism are at risk for impaired motor abilities. Implications for development and intervention are discussed.
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