Sensory Issues

Sensory problems are common particularly in boys affected by Fragile X. An excess of stimuli coming in through the senses can cause stress, anxiety and problems with concentration and behaviour. This sensory defensiveness can, in turn, result in a lowering in performance in other areas of development and learning.

There are many strategies that can be used to alleviate such sensory challenges.

Occupational therapists with sensory integration knowledge can work with the child and advise parents and carers of methods they can use themselves on an ongoing basis.

Sensory integration involves the ways we process and make sense of information coming in through each of our 5 senses. People with Fragile X, especially males, may be hypersensitive to sounds and noises, smells and tastes may be too strong for them, touch too intense and visual stimuli too much for them to process efficiently. In some cases the opposite may be true: they are hyposensitive and not getting enough stimuli.

A number of calming techniques can be used to reduce anxiety, to improve concentration and learning, to prevent inappropriate behaviour and enable the child to get used to his surroundings. Methods include massage, skin brushing, deep pressure, wearing weighted vests, the use of equipment such as swings, mini trampolines and therapy balls and specially made objects to chew on.

Reducing strong stimuli that causes distress or preparing children in advance are other techniques that can be used. For example: removing fluorescent flickering lights, keeping noise levels down, using earplugs, giving the child a break or time out can reduce their stress. Explaining in advance in a way they understand can help prepare them; the use of home made photo books is often recommended.

Physical activity can improve sensory integration skills by giving a child practice in using his body in different ways, helping him learn how it relates to his surroundings.

More reading

How Does SPD Affect Learning? on the Out of Synch Child website.

Sensory Processing Disorder website

Fine Motor SKills

Fine motor skills are actions that we take using the body’s smaller muscle groups, most usually involving co-ordination between hands and eyes for grasping and manipulating objects. Writing, drawing, using a knife and fork and fastening buttons are just a few examples of many activities requiring fine motor skills.

An Occupational Therapist can help a child improve their fine motor skills by assessing where areas of difficulty are occurring and tailoring activities to improve skills. They may suggest alternatives that compensate for areas of weakness: for example, using a keyboard rather than a pen.

A therapist can also provide oral and facial activities, to help with mouth sensitivity issues, alleviating problems such as mouth stuffing and chewing on clothes and skin.

Speech

Speech and language in Fragile X Syndrome is not only affected by general difficulties with learning but also by low muscle tone, sensory problems and auditory processing problems. Speech and Occupational Therapy are both beneficial. An OT may suggest such activities as eating chewy or crunchy foods and blowing activities (blowing bubbles, musical instruments etc.).

Gail Harris-Schmidt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP writes about auditory processing problems and Speech and Language Therapy on the NFXF website.

Gross Motor Skills

Gross motor skills are those that involve the larger muscles in the body, those that control the larger movements we make with our arms, legs, feet or the whole body. For example, crawling, walking, running. jumping and throwing balls are all gross motor skills.

Cognitive deficits in boys with Fragile X can affect the efficient combination of planning a physical action and carrying it out. Loose muscle tone, hyperextensible joints and flat feet can all affect how well gross motor skills develop. Anxiety and problems with balance and judging distance can also impact on the way the body interacts with the world around. As with other symptoms of Fragile X, the degree and type of gross motor skill issues vary from child to child.

Physiotherapy, sensory integration therapy and adapted physical education activities are of help if gross motor problems exist. Involvement in sport and physical activity can take place at home, school or by joining outside teams and organisations.

Please refer to the Therapy Resources and Sports and Recreation link pages for more information.