What are the Characteristics of Vocabulary Development in Boys?

The development of vocabulary is often a relative strength for boys with fragile X syndrome. Receptive (listening) vocabulary is often reported to be better than expressive (speaking). Even among boys with very little expressive vocabulary, there is often understanding of many words.

Expressive vocabulary skills may be well developed in many boys. Words are learned best in contextual situations. That is, boys with fragile X often pick up whole words from books, TV, and videos, in areas that interest them. A boy who is interested in animals may know words such as "primate" and "reptile", well above his tested expressive vocabulary, especially if such testing is out of context (e.g., asking a boy to define isolated words or to use isolated words in sentences).

As boys with fragile X grow older, difficulties with multiple meaning words (e.g., "point" as an action with the finger, a part of a pen, or a statement being made) and with more abstract vocabulary (e.g., freedom, justice) may cause their vocabulary scores to decrease on standardized tests. This does not mean that they are losing vocabulary, but that their vocabulary development is not keeping pace with that of their peers.

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