Daily Living Skills in Adolescent and Young Adult Males With Fragile X Syndrome

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2022 Jan 1;127(1):64-83. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-127.1.64.

Abstract

By adulthood, most males with fragile X syndrome (FXS) require support to navigate day-to-day settings. The present study cross-sectionally: (1) characterized the profile of daily living skills in males with FXS and (2) examined associated participant characteristics (i.e., fragile X mental retardation protein [FMRP] expression, nonverbal cognition, language, autism symptomatology, and anxiety symptomatology) using the Waisman-Activities of Daily Living questionnaire. Males with FXS (n = 57, ages 15-23 years) needed more help/support in the areas of domestic and community daily livings skills, than in the area of personal daily living skills. Significant associations were observed between reduced daily living skills and lower nonverbal cognition, receptive language, expressive language, and increased autism symptomatology. Receptive language emerged as the strongest unique predictor of daily living skill performance.

Keywords: FMRP; autism spectrum disorder; daily living skills; fragile X syndrome; language.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autistic Disorder*
  • Fragile X Syndrome*
  • Humans
  • Language
  • Language Tests
  • Male
  • Young Adult