Fragile X syndrome is a common cause of intellectual disability. Intellectual impairment can range from subtle learning disabilities to severe impairment. Fragile X syndrome is also characterised by behavioural-related difficulties, physical features, speech and language difficulties.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Not all of the characteristics of Fragile X syndrome are seen in every person. Typical symptoms include:
- intellectual disability ranging from mild to severe
- characteristic physical features
- behavioural difficulties such as poor concentration and autistic like characteristics
- speech and language difficulties.
Males tend to exhibit more extreme symptoms, for instance, they will tend to have a more severe intellectual impairment and are more likely to have certain physical features, such as large prominent ears and very flexible joints. Behavioural characteristics are also more severe and can include; attention deficit, poor eye contact and anxiety. Significant speech and language difficulties are also more typical in males.
For females, only about one third have significant intellectual disability, most have mild to moderate learning difficulties and the other symptoms listed above are often expressed to a lesser degree or in some cases are non-existent.
For more information on some of these symptoms and characteristics, follow these links:
Workplace adjustments and solutions:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with Fragile X syndrome to better manage their symptoms. These include changes to work tasks and the environment and will vary depending on personal capabilities:
- organising the work day with set structure and routine
- if possible enable work duties to be done in one area to assist with familiarisation and learning
- use prompts to trigger memory and recall such as alarms, computer alerts, vision prompts, cue cards or picture task breakdown lists
- use of a buddy system to allow imitation of learning
- introduce new tasks slowly and provide training in a visual format including pictures or computer assisted training
- position at a workspace with minimal distractions to assist with concentration
- education for co-workers about the condition, and any information about the person such as how they best communicate, interact or learn
- identify effective communication strategies based on what is used within the home.
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References:
Better Health Channel 2011, Fragile X syndrome, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 20 December 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fragile_X_syndrome.
Carolina Fragile X Project (no date specified), What is Fragile X Syndrome?, FPG Child Development Institute, Chapel Hill, viewed 20 December 2011, http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~fx/Pages/overvu.htm.
The Fragile X Association of Australia 2011, Education, Fragile X Association of Australia, Sydney , viewed 20 December 2011, http://www.fragilex.org.au/education-therapy/education/.
The National Fragile X Foundation 2011, Summary of Fragile X Syndrome, The National Fragile X Foundation, California, viewed 20 December 2011, http://www.fragilex.org/html/summary.htm.