AUTISM and FRAGILE X SYNDROME?

Did you know that the only genetic connection to autism is fragile x syndrome? Autism and fragile x syndrome both display the same symtoms of each other. I talked to Spectrim Health Genetics in Grand Rapids Michgan and they told me that you can have autism and fragile x at the same time. That if you have autism that you should also be tested for fraile x and vice versa. I thought to myself that this is very interesting.

FX is not the only genetic connection to autism, Rett Syndrome applies as well, and as time and research continues more connections and those unique only to autism may be discovered.

The American College of Medical Genetics guidelines for diagnosis of Fragile X has recommended that all children with developmental delays, autism and mental retardation of unknown origin be tested for Fragile X, since 1994.

Sadly, many professionals still only use the chromosome analysis test, which has proven unreliable. To test for Fragile X the Southern Blot DNA test and PCR analysis must be used. In 2005, the guidelines were revised indicating than anyone who only had a chromosome analysis test should be retested.

I'm located in Michigan, we have an active support group, web information at www.fragilex.org/html/michigan.htm,

October 13 we will be hosting a local conference, Dr. Marcia Braden, an expert when it comes to Fragile X and behavior, will be a guest speaker.

If you want to learn more about Fragile X I also recommend visiting the Fragile_X_Michigan Yahoo group. The links are open to the public, you do not need to join the group to view the links. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fragile_X_...

If you are looking for information on Fragile X, to get accurate information you need to visit the major Fragile X organizations websites 鈥?to be honest some of the general medical sites and autism groups may not have the most accurate or up-to-date information on fragile X.

Try the Autism society of Michigan, they have lots of resources and information to share with you.
And Yahoo groups has tons of people who want to talk to you and help you

I have a child with Fragile X and while you are right in regards to displaying the same symptoms, they are not really tied together....Autism is on the rise and it is because of misdiagnosis.....the Doctors nowadays are getting lazy and it is very easy and convenient to just say AUTISM. There are so many characteristics of so many special needs children with every type of diagnosis you can think of that all fall under the same umbrella....so what are the health care professionals to do...they just call it autism, since this diagnosis is so widely accepted.

A neuro. diagnosed my daughter with mild autism, and sent me to have blood tests for fragile-x done, and it came back negative.

Yes this is true. We have three adopted children. Two are siblings, both with fragile x syndrome. One has autism and one does not. Our third child, not biologically related to the other two, has autism but not fragile x.