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Sensory Difficulties in Children With an FMR1 Premutation
Melissa Raspa1, Amanda Wylie1, Anne C Wheeler1
1RTI International, Durham, NC, United States.
Frontiers in Genetics
|September 21, 2018
Summary
Children with FMR1 premutation experience sensory challenges similar to fragile X syndrome (FXS), differing from typically developing peers. These sensory difficulties impact auditory, visual, and tactile processing, as well as eating behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genetics
- Sensory Processing
Background:
- Abnormal sensory processing is a hallmark of fragile X syndrome (FXS).
- Sensory challenges are evident in early childhood for individuals with FXS and FMR1 premutation.
- Research is needed to compare sensory difficulties across these groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare sensory processing differences in children with FMR1 premutation, FXS, and typically developing children.
- To identify specific sensory subscales affected in each group.
- To explore factors associated with sensory sensitivities.
Main Methods:
- An online survey of 176 parents of children aged 5-18 with FXS or FMR1 premutation.
- Utilized the BBC Sensory Scales (50-item Likert scale) assessing auditory, visual, tactile processing, and eating behaviors.
- Employed non-parametric tests to analyze differences in sensory scores and related variables.
Main Results:
- Children with FMR1 premutation showed more sensory challenges than typically developing children across all subscales.
- Children with FXS and FMR1 premutation exhibited similar sensory challenges, with FXS group scoring lowest on six subscales.
- Fragile X status affected seven subscales; FMR1 premutation group had more digestive issues than controls.
Conclusions:
- Children with FMR1 premutation exhibit sensory difficulties comparable to those with FXS.
- Sensory processing differences are significant in FMR1 premutation and FXS compared to typical development.
- Gender, autism status, and family income correlate with sensory sensitivities in these populations.
Keywords:
FMR1 premutationfeeding behaviorfragile X syndromehypersensitivityhyposensitivitysensory processingMore Related Videos
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