Autism Spectrum Disorder traits in children and young people with Fragile X Syndrome: a systematic review & a comparison of behavioural phenotypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder traits in boys and girls with Fragile X Syndrome

Thomas, Dale 2019. Autism Spectrum Disorder traits in children and young people with Fragile X Syndrome: a systematic review & a comparison of behavioural phenotypes of Autism Spectrum Disorder traits in boys and girls with Fragile X Syndrome. ClinPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

Three papers are presented as a thesis for partial fulfilment for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy). The first two are presented as papers for submission to the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (JADD), which presents papers related to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities. The third paper is a reflective paper on the process of undertaking the former two. This is not prepared for publication. Paper 1 is a systematic review of the methodological quality of extant research of ‘co-morbid’ Autism Spectrum Disorder in children and young people with Fragile X Syndrome. It reviews 13 methodologically sound peer reviewed papers and presents a qualitative synthesis of findings. The synthesis highlights the direction of impairment of particular ASD behavioural phenotypes and a trajectory model for the development of ASD traits in FXS. Paper 2 presents an empirical study of gender differences in FXS and comorbid FXS and ASD (FXS+ASD) presentations, also considering the impact of intellectual disability. The study utilised an online platform and accessed participants via the Fragile X Society database. Participants were parents of children with a diagnosis of FXS. They completed a series of questionnaire measures, which indicated the sample did not differ significantly according to gender; severity of ASD traits was not associated with cognitive ability; and the presence of ASD traits increased with age. The latter finding supported the trajectory model suggested in Paper 1. Paper 3 provides a considered critique and reflective evaluation of the process of undertaking the previous papers. It provides a personal iterative reflection into the impact of the author’s prior experiences and the impact of these on the direction of the research thesis. As well as additional reflection on challenges and limitations of the research process; cumulating in highlighting the transformative nature of the research process and the plan for dissemination of findings.

Item Type:	Thesis (DClinPsy)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	25 September 2019
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2020 02:14
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/125601

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