COVID-19 Resources for Fragile X Families and Individuals
The most common behavioral challenges seen in FXS include behaviors associated with generalized anxiety, social interaction difficulties — including social anxiety/withdrawal and social aloofness — ADHD, self-injury, and aggression. Addressing these challenges needs to be done with consideration to the person’s level of intellectual functioning, speech/language abilities, and autism (autism spectrum disorder, or ASD) symptoms, if applicable.
Scroll through the various resources below or use the table of contents here to check out the resources to help us all get through this challenging time. We’d also love to hear from you, and you can reach us here (or call us M–F, 9–5 at (800) 688-8765)
Let the Awareness Continue!
It looks like in many places we're back to wearing masks, or will be soon. Our family has pulled out all our favorite masks and getting used to them all over again.
COVID-19 Check-In: Month 15 — Ready for Re-Entry?
Jayne offers advice to Fragile X families in transitioning back after post-COVID-lockdowns, from school, to housing, to work, and more.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Fragile X and Dr. Erickson Answers Your Medication Questions
Two important videos from Dr. Craig Erickson who discusses COVID-19 vaccines for individuals living with Fragile X premutations and full mutations, plus a second video on medications and Fragile X.
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Individuals with Fragile X?
Dr. Craig Erickson, director of the Cincinnati Fragile X Research and Treatment Center at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine tells us why it’s safe.
Fragile X News
A Special Report from Gregg Harper
Facebook: Join Dan Whiting — direct from his kids’ tree fort — for Fragile X News as we hear from Gregg Harper, his wife Sidney, and his son Livingston on how they’re getting along during the shelter-in-place orders. Gregg is a former Mississippi U.S. Representative who has diligently advocated for our community throughout the years. His son Livingston has Fragile X syndrome. Running Time: 00:02:07.
Survey: Share Your Experience With Telehealth and Services During COVID
Parents or caregivers of individuals with Fragile X syndrome who has received services via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible to participate.
Telehealth Visits: Suggestions for Parents on How to Prepare
As the option to do telehealth visits opened up over the past six months, we have gathered information to help you make the most of your online visit for your child with Fragile X syndrome, whether they are a young child or an adult.
COVID-19 Check-In: Month 5
What can we do to take care of ourselves and to help others? A mother takes a step back to imagine what life during a pandemic looks like through the eyes of her son, who has Fragile X syndrome.
Getting Comfortable Wearing a Mask
Real-life tips from a mom, Jayne Dixon Weber, who’s already going through this with her own son, plus a a quick video from Rebecca Shaffer to guide you through the process of getting your child comfortable wearing a mask.
Female Power to Fight a Crisis — Presentation
Females living with Fragile X syndrome were asked to give advice to other females living with FXS on how to cope with this — or any future — crisis. Listen as Marcia talks through their advice and her own advice, built on decades of working with patients with Fragile X syndrome.
A COVID-19 Social Story from NFXF
The National Fragile X Foundation has created a social story to reflect the changing requirements that governments are enacting. There’s a lot of information — and misinformation — about COVID-19 out there, but there’s no doubt it’s impacted families in many, many ways.
How to Prepare for a Telehealth Visit
Drs Rebecca Shaffer and Ernie Pedapati tell you how to prepare for your telehealth visit, including behavioral checkups. They are with Fragile X Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Their advice is applicable to all visits.
Supporting Your Child with Fragile X Syndrome During Special Times — Presentation
Barbara Haas-Givler shares her tips and methods for caregivers supporting children with Fragile X syndrome, starting with taking care of yourself first.
An Unregulated Life is No Laughing Matter — Webinar
Tracy Stackhouse teaches us the importance of self-regulation in individuals with Fragile X syndrome.
How Do We Cope with the Current Circumstances
In this new recording, Marcia Braden discusses strategies for daily living with COVID-19. She discusses how anxiety can fuel behavior, and she gives ideas on how to set up your day and accommodations you can make to help keep anxiety at a minimum.
The How Toʼs of Sensory Diets in Fragile X Syndrome — Webinar
How To's of Sensory Diets in Fragile X Syndrome is the new video for this special time from Tracy Stackhouse from Developmental FX. A sensory diet is an occupational therapy intervention strategy devised to attain and maintain appropriate arousal states throughout each day.
Mindfulness and Me — Webinar
From our good friends at Developmental FX, Tracy and Ruth on using movement and meditation to deal with the anxiety and challenges of daily life being turned upside down.
My Child is Home… Now What?? Play Skills
In this webinar, Rebecca Shaffer guides us through some pointers about how to build play skills while your children are at home, and some great resources for thinking through different play opportunities while they’re at home.
When Disappearing Acts Are a Good Thing
Behavior can often be misunderstood and punished because the parent or caregiver doesn’t recognize its function for the child. Caregivers must look behind the behavior to learn what they’re trying to communicate.
My Child Is Home… Now What? Managing Behavior
In this webinar, Rebecca Shaffer walks us through what your child is telling you, strategies to prevent the behavior, reinforcing good behaviors, and building new skills.
How to Help Your Child Cope with COVID-19
Dr. Marcia Braden provides tips and resources, including social story and visual schedule templates, to help you and your children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’re Here to Help During This Extraordinary Time
LINDA SORENSEN — With most of us staying at home now, we’re committed to providing you with the most timely and meaningful educational resources we have available. This includes sharing a series of articles, video series, and webinars.
My Child is Home… Now What? Keeping a Routine — Webinar
In this webinar, Rebecca Shaffer guides us through the importance of having a routine, including providing predictability and lowering anxiety, and how to create and build your own for you and your child.
Get Moving with Special Olympics’ Fit 5
The Special Olympics is a valuable program for so many families, and the Fit 5 program can help with you and your child's daily living strategies and routines.
COVID-19: My child is home from school or work or a day program! What do I do?
Timely advice from Jayne Dixon Weber for parents and families asking: What am I going to do with the children all day? How do I get supplies in the house? What if someone gets sick? What if I get sick? What about my work? What if things fall apart at home?