COVID-19 Resources for Fragile X Families and Individuals

Now, More Than Ever ... Together We're Stronger logoThe 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)

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.

  • Ian on driveway looking down the road, a soda near the curb

COVID-19 Check-In: Month 5

By |Aug 1, 2020|

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.

  • Ian out on his front porch wearing his favorite face mask

Getting Comfortable Wearing a Mask

By |Jul 29, 2020|

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.

  • Dr. Braden presentation on female power and Fragile X syndrome.

Female Power to Fight a Crisis — Presentation

By |May 8, 2020|

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 boy in a mask, a girl without who's coughing.

A COVID-19 Social Story from NFXF

By |Apr 27, 2020|

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.

  • Children on a laptop computer

How to Prepare for a Telehealth Visit

By |Apr 24, 2020|

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.

  • Marcia Braden, PhD

How Do We Cope with the Current Circumstances

By |Apr 14, 2020|

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.

  • Child stacking Legos while playing on the floor.

My Child is Home… Now What?? Play Skills

By |Apr 7, 2020|

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.

  • Boy hiding under cushions on a sofa

When Disappearing Acts Are a Good Thing

By |Apr 2, 2020|

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.