FPG Project Summary

Language and Autism in Boys with FXS

This project has been completed

This study examines whether noncontingent language, perseveration, and persistent question asking are specific to the conversational discourse of boys with FXS or to autism in general. The study will determine the extent to which comorbidity between FXS and autism may account for some apparent FXS group differences.

Study participants will be 30 boys with FXS with ASD and 30 boys with FXS without ASD and 20 boys with ASD; all boys will be between 4 and 12 years of age. Children’s pragmatic skills, including contingency, perseveration, and question asking during conversation will be assessed and nonverbal cognitive skills will also be examined. Pragmatic skills are essential for effective communication and pragmatic difficulties can compromise all aspects of communicative competence in daily interactions. Determining whether a unique pragmatic phenotype exists for FXS that is syndrome-specific or related to autism has critically important implications for defining treatment protocols.