| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Communication Problems in Fragile X Syndrome: Findings, Furture Directions, and Challenges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard Abbeduto - University of Wisconsin-Madison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| SRCLD Year: |
2005 |
| Presentation Type: |
Invited Speaker |
| Presentation Time: |
(na) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fragile X syndrome is the leading known inherited cause of mental retardation. It is also associated with various forms of psychopathology and behavioral problems, including autism. In this presentation, I will describe our research on the communication challenges associated with the syndrome as well as the ways in which those challenges shape, and are shaped by, challenges in other domains of behavioral and psychological functioning. We have created activities that allow us to study important dimensions of real-life communication in the laboratory. We have also administered procedures designed to measure other areas of challenge that we believe limit communication, such as interpersonal understanding, memory, and attention. Results to date suggest that youth with fragile X syndrome have special difficulty making their communicative intentions clear to others and seldom take steps to get additional information when they do not understand other people. In contrast, they are relatively skilled at using contextual information to help construct meaning for the discourse they hear. These patterns of communication may result as much from strengths and weaknesses in interpersonal understanding and attention as from the challenge of acquiring vocabulary and other linguistic tools. We have also observed considerable variability among those with fragile X syndrome and differences in the foundations of communication among subgroups of affected youth. I will conclude by briefly describing a new project that will address more fully questions about within-syndrome variability and syndrome specificity and by considering some of the challenges for research on this syndrome. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leonard Abbeduto, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Behavioral Sciences, Waisman Center and Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Topic: Unique brain syndromes and language development among children with developmental disabilities.
Web Site: http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/faculty/abbeduto.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|