What is Fragile X syndrome?

• Fragile X syndrome is an inherited, life-long condition

• People with Fragile x syndrome have intellectual disability, behavioural and learning challenges, as well as certain physical characteristics

• Fragile X syndrome is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability, affecting about 1 in 4,000 males and about 1 in 6,000 females.

• Depending on how an individual’s FMR1 gene has been changed by Fragile X syndrome depends whether they show symptoms of Fragile X or are carriers with no symptoms

• Fragile X syndrome occurs in both males and females but females generally have milder symptoms than males

• Fragile X syndrome is the leading known genetic cause of autism

People living with Fragile X syndrome experience the effects throughout their lifetime. These effects will vary from person to person and may include:

• Intellectual and learning disability
• Speech delay or minimal speech
• Fine and gross motor delay, coordination difficulties
• Low muscle tone
• Anxiety, hyperarousal, ADHD, depression
• Autistic-like behaviours
• Aversion to touch, loud noises, bright lights & strong smells
• Avoidance of eye contact
• Mood instability

This information has been provided to us by the Fragile X Association of Australia.