Spontaneous Gestural Communication as a Predictor of Autism Spectrum Diagnosis in Children with Fragile X Syndrome

Abstract

This study aimed to determine if early spontaneous gestural communication is a predictor of later Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis in children who have already been diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The communication samples of 49 children were obtained across multiple contexts as part of a larger longitudinal study examining maternal responsivity. Videos were coded for communication form and function, and initiations of gestural communication were analyzed. There were significant differences between the two groups. The children in the FXS only group used distal points, proximal points, and representational gestures more often than children with FXS and ASD; however, children in the latter group were more likely to use give gestures. Overall, children with a single FXS diagnosis initiated more joint attention than the FXS + ASD group.