Treatment depends on severity
Therapy can be used to treat learning disabilities. Medications may be used to treat anxiety and mood disorders. Fragile X syndrome cannot be cured. Treatment is aimed at helping the patient learn key skills, such as language use and proper social interaction. This may involve receiving extra help from teachers, therapists, family members, doctors, and coaches.
TherapiesBehavior therapy
Therapy that focuses on changing behavior to help people break unhealthy habits. |
Medications
Common drugs
Common drugs
Reduces muscle tension and helps relieve muscle pain and discomfort. |
SpecialistsPediatrician
Provides medical care for infants, children, and teenagers. Medical geneticist Diagnoses and manages hereditary disorders. Speech therapist Specializes in voice rehabilitation. Occupational therapist Improves daily living and work skills of patients. Clinical psychologist Treats mental disorders primarily with talk therapy. Physical therapist Restores muscle strength and function through exercise. Neurologist Treats nervous system disorders. |
Prevention
There is no way to prevent fragile X syndrome. Affected people can have genetic testing and genetic counseling to get information about their risk of passing fragile X to their children.
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What can be expected in the long term?Fragile X syndrome is a life-long condition and can affect all aspects of life, including one’s schooling, work, and social life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 44 percent of women and nine percent of men with fragile X syndrome reach a high level of independence as adults. The majority of women achieved at least a high school diploma and about half succeeded in holding a full-time job. However, the majority of men with fragile X syndrome require assistance with daily activities as adults. Few male patients achieve a high-school diploma or succeed in finding full-time work. |