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Symptoms of Autism in Males with Fragile X Syndrome: A Comparison to Nonsyndromic ASD Using Current ADI-R Scores

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Abstract

Symptoms of autism are frequent in males with fragile X syndrome (FXS), but it is not clear whether symptom profiles differ from those of nonsyndromic ASD. Using individual item scores from the Autism Diagnostic Inventory-Revised, we examined which current symptoms of autism differed in boys with FXS relative to same-aged boys diagnosed with nonsyndromic ASD. In addition, different subsamples of participants were matched on autism diagnostic status and severity of autism symptoms. Between-group comparisons revealed that boys with FXS showed significantly less impairment in Social Smiling than did age-, diagnostic-, and severity-matched boys with nonsyndromic ASD. Severity-matched boys with FXS showed more impairment in complex mannerisms than did boys with nonsyndromic ASD. Behavioral differences between FXS and nonsyndromic ASD may be of theoretical importance in understanding the causes and correlates of ASD in FXS and in developing and implementing appropriate treatments.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by NIH Grant R01 HD054764 awarded to Leonard Abbeduto. Preliminary results were presented at the 13th International Fragile X Conference in Miami, Florida. We would like to convey our sincere appreciation to the parents and children who participated in this study. We also appreciate the efforts of the following individuals who contributed to the collection of data reported in this manuscript: Sara Kover, Susen Schroeder, Eileen Haebig, Claire Hauser, Sara Armson, Ashley Oakes, David Benjamin, Susie Harris, and Beth Goodlin-Jones. Randi J. Hagerman has received funding from Novartis, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Curemark, Forest, and Seaside Therapeutics to carry out treatment studies in FXS and autism. She has also consulted with Novartis and Genentech. Leonard Abbeduto has received funding from Roche Pharmaceuticals. No other authors have financial disclosures to make.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Room 2274, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA

    Andrea McDuffie, Angela John Thurman, Randi J. Hagerman & Leonard Abbeduto

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Andrea McDuffie, Angela John Thurman & Leonard Abbeduto

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA

    Randi J. Hagerman

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  1. Andrea McDuffie
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  2. Angela John Thurman
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  3. Randi J. Hagerman
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  4. Leonard Abbeduto
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Correspondence to Andrea McDuffie.

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McDuffie, A., Thurman, A.J., Hagerman, R.J. et al. Symptoms of Autism in Males with Fragile X Syndrome: A Comparison to Nonsyndromic ASD Using Current ADI-R Scores. J Autism Dev Disord 45, 1925–1937 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-2013-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-2013-6

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