We are excited to share journal publications like this one resulting from FORWARD data. There are many more papers currently in development, and the future for Fragile X syndrome research is bright as more data is gathered.
A Pilot Quantitative Evaluation of Early Life Language Development in Fragile X Syndrome
Abstract
Language delay and communication deficits are a core characteristic of the fragile X syndrome (FXS) phenotype. To date, the literature examining early language development in FXS is limited potentially due to barriers in language assessment in very young children. The present study is one of the first to examine early language development through vocal production and the language learning environment in infants and toddlers with FXS utilizing an automated vocal analysis system. Child vocalizations, conversational turns, and adult word counts in the home environment were collected and analyzed in a group of nine infants and toddlers with FXS and compared to a typically developing (TD) normative sample. Results suggest infants and toddlers with FXS are exhibiting deficits in their early language skills when compared to their chronological expectations. Despite this, when accounting for overall developmental level, their early language skills appear to be on track. Additionally, FXS caregivers utilize less vocalizations around infants and toddlers with FXS; however, additional research is needed to understand the true gap between FXS caregivers and TD caregivers. These findings provide preliminary information about the early language learning environment and support for the feasibility of utilizing an automated vocal analysis system within the FXS population that could ease data collection and further our understanding of the emergence of language development.
Reisinger, D.L.; Shaffer, R.C.; Pedapati, E.V.; Dominick, K.C.; Erickson, C.A. A Pilot Quantitative Evaluation of Early Life Language Development in Fragile X Syndrome. Brain Sci. 2019, 9, 27.
About the FORWARD Registry & Database
FORWARD is made possible by all the participating families sharing their life experiences for research. By giving families, doctors, scientific researchers, and policymakers an inside look into how Fragile X syndrome presents itself across the human lifespan, you’re involvement is a huge contribution toward more positive health outcomes and better care and services for future generations.
Below are more journal publications resulting from FORWARD data.
more from forward
Latent Class Analysis Identifies Distinctive Behavioral Subtypes in Children with Fragile X Syndrome
FORWARD // Among the different models resulting from the latent class analysis, a 5-class solution yielded the most clinically meaningful pharmacotherapy-independent behavioral subtypes.
Examination of Correlates to Health-Related Quality of Life in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome
FORWARD // We examined the nature and degree of association between health-related quality of life and established measures of functioning in FXS; 155 parents completed the questionnaires on their child as part of the larger CDC-funded FORWARD study.
Featured image by Ayush Shakya from Pixabay