Perseveration in the connected speech of boys with Fragile X syndrome with and without autism spectrum disorder

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2012 Sep;117(5):384-99. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-117.5.384.

Abstract

Verbal perseveration is a frequently reported language characteristic of males with Fragile X syndrome and may be a defining feature or hallmark of the syndrome. We compared the verbal perseveration of boys with Fragile X syndrome with (n = 29) and without (n = 30) autism spectrum disorder, boys with Down syndrome (n = 27), and typically developing boys (n = 25) at similar nonverbal mental ages. During a social interaction, boys with both Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder produced significantly more topic perseveration than all other groups. In social interaction as compared to narration, boys with Fragile X syndrome (regardless of autism status) produced significantly more topic perseveration. These findings suggest that autism status, as well as language sampling context, affect perseveration in boys with Fragile X syndrome.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / complications
  • Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / physiopathology*
  • Child Language
  • Child, Preschool
  • Down Syndrome / complications
  • Down Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Fragile X Syndrome / complications
  • Fragile X Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Language Disorders / etiology
  • Language Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Psycholinguistics
  • Speech / physiology
  • Stereotyped Behavior / physiology*
  • Verbal Behavior / physiology