Understanding Fragile X Syndrome

Isabel Fernández Carvajal is a Doctor of Medicine working on the genetic basis of intellectual disability at the Instituto de Biologia y Genetica Molecular (IBGM) at the University of Valladolid, Spain. She has a special interest in Fragile X Syndrome, autism spectrum disorders and other forms of intellectual disability with genetic origin. David Aldridge is co-director of the Nordoff-Robbins Zentrum, Witten, Germany.

• 1. What is Fragile X Syndrome? 2. Understanding Heredity: Genetic Factors and Inheritance. 3. The Common Symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome. 4. Associated Fragile X Syndromes: Primary Ovarian Insufficiency and Fragile X Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome. 5. Diagnosing Fragile X Syndrome and Its Implications. 6. Interventions for Fragile X Syndrome. 7. Talking with the Family. Glossary. Further Reading. Fragile X Weblinks.

Fernandez, a scientific advisor in the Spanish Fragile X Federation, and Aldridge, co director of the Nordoff-Robbins Zentrum, Witten, Germany, walk readers through the heredity aspects of Fragile X, its symptoms, diagnosing the syndrome, and appropriate interventions...Professionals may find more support here than parents, yet the lack of popular material on Fragile X means this is an important contribution.