Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2025

TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism
10:58

TMS: Using the Theta-Burst Protocol to Explore Mechanism of Plasticity in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism

Published on: December 28, 2010

17.0K

Differential cognitive and behavioral development from 6 to 24 months in autism and fragile X syndrome

Lindsay J Mullin1, Joshua Rutsohn2, Julia L Gross3

  • 1Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA. lindsay_mullin@med.unc.edu.

Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
|March 21, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Infants with fragile X syndrome (FXS) show earlier global cognitive delays than those with familial autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Developmental differences between FXS and FH-ASD infants are detectable by 6 months, with distinct skill trajectories throughout infancy.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Developmental psychology
  • Pediatric neurology

Background:

  • Early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have distinct etiologies but share some developmental challenges.
  • Previous research indicates differences in brain development and behavior between infants with FXS and those with a familial history of ASD (FH-ASD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To longitudinally investigate and compare the developmental skill profiles of infants with FXS and FH-ASD.
  • To identify early developmental differences between FXS and FH-ASD infants.
  • To compare these groups with familial controls who do not develop ASD (FH-nonASD) and typically developing controls.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study contrasting verbal (expressive/receptive language) and nonverbal (gross/fine motor, visual reception) skills.
  • Comparison of developmental trajectories in four groups: FXS, FH-ASD, FH-nonASD, and typically developing controls.
  • Assessment of skills at multiple time points throughout infancy.

Main Results:

  • Infants with FXS exhibited nonverbal delays by 6 months of age compared to FH-ASD, FH-nonASD, and control infants.
  • An ordinal pattern of skill acquisition emerged by 12 months (Controls > FH-nonASD > FH-ASD > FXS) and persisted through 24 months.
  • Cognitive level influenced developmental trajectories differently for FXS and FH-ASD infants.

Conclusions:

  • Group differences in developmental trajectories between FXS and FH-ASD are detectable as early as 6 months.
  • FXS is associated with earlier global cognitive delays, while FH-ASD shows more gradually emerging delays.
  • Divergent developmental pathways in infancy highlight key distinctions between FXS and FH-ASD, informing our understanding of their phenotypes.
Abstract

Keywords:
AutismBehavioralCognitiveDevelopmentFragile X syndromeInfancy

More Related Videos

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism10:11

Portable Intermodal Preferential Looking IPL: Investigating Language Comprehension in Typically Developing Toddlers and Young Children with Autism

Published on: December 14, 2012

18.5K
Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos05:32

Comparing Eye-tracking Data of Children with High-functioning ASD, Comorbid ADHD, and of a Control Watching Social Videos

Published on: December 7, 2018

9.0K

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
89
Modeling in Therapy01:26

Modeling in Therapy

Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
72
Cognitive Development During Adolescence01:18

Cognitive Development During Adolescence

During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the...
55
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
54
Adler's Individual Psychology01:28

Adler's Individual Psychology

Alfred Adler, a prominent figure in psychology, founded the school of individual psychology. In contrast to Freud's emphasis on sexual or aggressive motives, Adler suggested that individuals are primarily motivated by their purposes and goals. He believed that people strive for perfection rather than pleasure. Adler argued that individuals could creatively act upon their genetic inheritance and environmental experiences to shape their own lives, emphasizing conscious motivation over...
677
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development01:14

Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development

The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
622