Problem behaviour in adolescent boys with fragile X syndrome: relative prevalence, frequency and severity.
S S Hall, R P Barnett, K M Hustyi
PMID 27730710WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescent boys with fragile X syndrome showed stereotypy more often, self-injury more frequently, and aggression with lower severity than boys with other intellectual disabilities.
Most problem behaviours were rated mild, though aggression and property destruction often co-occurred.
Key findings
01Stereotypy was significantly more prevalent in boys with fragile X syndrome than in controls.
02Self-injury occurred more frequently in boys with fragile X syndrome than in controls, although severity did not differ.
03Aggression was rated as significantly less severe in boys with fragile X syndrome than in controls.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Data relied on caregiver reports, which are subject to recall bias and potential desensitisation over time. The study was cross-sectional, so age-related changes in behaviour frequency cannot be confirmed as longitudinal trends. Participants were self-selected via online support groups and social media, which may not represent caregivers who do not engage with these platforms. Developmental age was not assessed, so differences between groups could be influenced by varying developmental levels rather than diagnosis alone.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that problem behaviours in fragile X syndrome are inherently more severe than in other intellectual disabilities. The study found that aggression was rated as less severe in boys with fragile X syndrome, and self-injury, while more frequent, was not more severe than in controls.