What Medical Intervention Needs to be Sought for Children With Fragile X Syndrome to Help in Sensory Processing?

Several areas that affect sensory processing may be helped by medication, in addition to counseling, environmental adjustments, and behavioral plans. Anxiety, aggression, and attention are all areas that are affected by sensory overload issues.

Anxiety may be a significant problem for most males and some females with fragile X syndrome. The serotonin agents are often prescribed to help lower anxiety levels (see section on Medication by Dr. Hagerman).

Aggressive outbursts affect some males with fragile X syndrome. Some of the serotonin agents may be helpful, in that they reduce the anxiety that causes the outbursts.

A third area that often requires medical intervention for many children is that of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). (See also the section on Behavior for more information on ADHD). Attention problems interact with sensory overload issues, in that the affected person attends to too many stimuli (the sound of the fluorescent lights, the sight of too many decorations on the wall, etc.). Assessment by a pediatric neurologist for ADHD may result in medical intervention. Medication may be able to help some boys to focus better, as they can manage better their sensory overload, anxiety, and some of their social disorders.

See the section on Medication for a more complete review of medications available for persons with fragile X syndrome.

Gail Harris-Schmidt, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Saint Xavier University
Chicago, Illinois

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