What is Included in the Assessment?

As with infants and toddlers, an assessment does not necessarily include formal diagnostic tests in school settings by strangers. Evaluation may consist of interviews with and checklists filled out by parents, play-based observations of the child, and standardized and more informal tests, given by a variety of professionals.

As with the infant/toddler testing, an audiologist may perform a hearing test, an important component of the evaluation of the child with fragile X, as ear infections are common.

Occupational therapists may observe chewing and swallowing, grasp, states of alertness and overload, reactions to sound, light, and touch, and other sensory-motor and fine-motor areas. 

Physical therapists may be watching for balance, gait, posture and movement.

Speech pathologists will be trying to determine both receptive (listening) and expressive (speaking) language levels. If the child is not yet talking, the speech pathologist may try to determine language comprehension using augmentative language devices (picture boards, etc.).

Parents are an integral part of the team, and their input is vital. Parents of children with fragile X syndrome need to make the team aware of conditions that will make the assessment the most successful for their child. This may include working with the team to structure calm, distraction-free situations, to avoid sensory overload, and to lessen anxiety.

The assessment may take place in the child's home, where the team member brings toys and test materials for administration in a familiar environment. The assessment may take place in a school or special education center, with the parents and professional team members participating.

Gail Harris-Schmidt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

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