Join Dr. Anne Wheeler as she discusses how mothers of children with Fragile X syndrome may experience increased vulnerability to stress due to their premutation status. When combined with stressful parenting, this increased vulnerability may result in adverse physical and emotional outcomes. Increasing mindfulness and acceptance skills may promote health and well-being for mothers of children with FXS and have important health implications for all individuals with an FMR1 premutation.

This presentation provides an overview of the literature on stress vulnerability in women with a premutation, describes how mindfulness-based techniques can be helpful for stress reduction, prompts experiential practice of these techniques, and provides practical resources for increasing mindfulness, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.

With
Dr. Anne Wheeler

Anne Wheeler, PhD
Anne Wheeler is a licensed neurodevelopmental psychologist and senior researcher at RTI International. She is also an adjunct associate professor at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has been involved in research and clinical service for individuals with Fragile X syndrome and associated neurogenetic conditions for over 20 years.

Her main research interests include health and well-being among individuals with an FMR1 expansion; measurement, predictors, and consequences of specific developmental and behavioral profiles in individuals with developmental disabilities; family and maternal adaptation to genetic syndromes; and the development of strength-based/positive psychology focus in child and family research.