Word-finding difficulties, verbal paraphasias, and verbal dyspraxia in ten individuals with fragile X syndrome

Am J Med Genet. 1995 Feb 27;60(1):39-43. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.1320600108.

Abstract

Speech/language disorders are common in the fragile X syndrome. [Howard-Peebles, 1979: Am J Hom Genet 31:214-222; Renier et al., 1983: J Ment Defic Res 27:51-59; Sparks, 1984: Birth Defects and Speech-Language Disorders, pp. 39-43; Hanson et al., 1986: Am J Med Genet 23:195-206]. Verbal paraphasias have been considered a rare feature and word-finding difficulties have seldom been reported. Here we report on ten Brazilian patients who were evaluated for speech/language disturbances and found that word-finding difficulties were present in 50% of the cases, which is a slightly higher frequency than that of clear dyspraxia. We suggest, therefore, that word-finding difficulties and verbal dyspraxia can be a common feature within the spectrum of this syndrome. Additional speech findings are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Fragile X Syndrome / complications
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics
  • Fragile X Syndrome / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Language Disorders / complications
  • Language Disorders / diagnosis
  • Language Disorders / genetics*
  • Male
  • Speech Disorders / complications
  • Speech Disorders / diagnosis
  • Speech Disorders / genetics*
  • X Chromosome