Behavioral Relationship Between Autism and Fragile X Syndrome

Authors:
  • MFMaurice A. Feldman
    Maurice A. Feldman
  • JHJeanette J. A. Holden
    Jeanette J. A. Holden
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Abstract
Previous researchers have reported autistic features in children with fragile X syndrome. We compared 21 children with pervasive developmental disorders (autism group) to 15 with fragile X syndrome on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the Reiss Scales for Children's Dual Diagnosis. The 7 children (47%) with fragile X who scored above the Childhood Autism Rating Scale cut-off (fragile X–autism group) were more impaired than the remaining children (fragile X–no autism) on Childhood Autism Rating Scale subscales related to emotion, visual and listening responses, and communication. The autism group's Reiss scores were higher than fragile X–no autism group, but not fragile X–autism group. Although the Childhood Autism Rating Scale identified almost 50% of children with fragile X as having autism, qualitative differences may exist in specific autistic-like behaviors between children with autism and children with fragile X.