There are many forms of mental retardation. Webster’s New World Dictionary defines mental retardation as “a condition, usually congenital, characterized by subnormal intelligence” (Agnes, p404). Mental retardation can be caused by a certain birth defect due to a traumatic event during the mother’s pregnancy, or mental retardation can also be inherited. The most common inherited form of mental retardation is Fragile X Syndrome.
Fragile X Syndrome was identified in the year 1991. This disability affects more males than females. Approximately 1 in 4,000 males are affected, however only 1 in 8,000 females are affected (Lombroso, 2003). Fragile X generates in the FMR1 gene. Fragile X is caused by an excessively repeating tri-nucleotide, cytosine-guanine-guanine, which is located in the FMR1 gene. Regular permutation cells have 29 or 30 triplets. Normal alleles have between 5 to 50 cells that repeat (Gecz, 111,112). The FMR 1 gene’s cells can repeat up to 200 times. Changes within the nucleotides can cause problems with the gene transcriptions (Lombroso, 2003). The expansions of the genes due to the excessive repeating, can cause physical, neurocognitive,
and emotional characteristics (“Definition of Fragile X Syndrome, 2002). As stated above, Fragile X is an inherited disability. Fragile X can, however, be passed in the family genes by individuals with no signs of Fragile X (NFXF, 2004).
Fragile X Syndrome 4
Fragile X is found in both males and females; however, the qualities that females possess in some cases differ from the qualities which the males possess. Only half of the females will actually show symptoms. Females with Fragile X will seem quiet, shy, and often prefer to be to themselves. One fourth of females...
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...nderstanding Fragile X Syndrome: insights from animal models,112-113.
Lathe, R. (2006). Autism, Brain and Environment. Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Introduction to the Problem of Recognition and Diagnosis, 20-21.
Lombroso, P. (2003). Genetics of childhood disorders: XLVIII. Learning and memory, part 1: fragile X syndrome update. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
National Fragile X Foundation (2006). Retrieved January 27, 2009 from http://www.nfxf.org/html/what.htm
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Roberts, J., Long, S., Malikin, C., Barnes, E., Skinner, M., Hennon, E., et al. (2005). A Comparison of phonological skills of boys with fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research 48.5
Smith, D (2006). Introduction to Special Education. Mental Retardation 197,202.
Rett syndrome is often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or a nonspecific developmental delay. Children with Rett syndrome tend to exhibit autistic-like behaviors
Some people become handicapped as a result of an accident. Others are born with their disabilities.
Zhang, Y. B., Harwood, J., Williams, A., Ylänne-McEwen, V., Wadleigh, P. M., & Thimm, C.
Rett syndrome is a particular neurological disorder that is first found in the first few months of life and typically almost always diagnosed in girls, but can be seen in boys, rarely, but it is possible (International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 2014). Rett syndrome symptoms soon appear after an early period of regular or near regular development until six to eighteen months of life, when there is a slowing down or stopping of skills. A period of backsliding then follows when the young female child loses communication skills and purposeful use of her hands. Soon, the known physical handicaps became visible such as washing hands, difficulty walking, and head growth abnormalities, the head will grow slower than it supposed to. More symptoms that may be brought on by the syndrome can include seizures and rapid and/or slow breathing repetitions while the child is not sleep. In the younger years of childlife, there may be a time of separation or withdrawal when she is irritable and cries inconsolably. With time, motor skill problems may increase, but in generally, the irritability the child endures lessens and eye contact and communication improve (International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 2014). According to rettsyndrome.org, Rett syndrome is caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2. There are more than 200 different mutations found on the MECP2 gene. Most of these mutations are found in eight different spots. It strikes all racial and ethnic groups, and occurs worldwide in 1 of every 10,000 to 23,000 female births (Rett Syndrome Foundation, 2014). It is not a degenerative disorder, saying that this syndrome does not cause the body or the mind of the infected child to become weaker. It also causes problems in brai...
Tackett, J. L., Lahey, B. B., van Hulle, C., Waldman, I., Krueger, R. F., & Rathouz, P. J. (2013).
Kobau, R., Zack, M. M., Manderscheid, R., Palpant, R. G., Morales, D. S., Luncheon, C., et al.
Segal, E. A., Cimino, A. N., Gerdes, K. E., Harmon, J. K., & Wagaman, M. (2013). A
Wood, W. M., Karvonen, M., Test, D. W., Browder, D., & Algozzine, B. (2004). Promoting
Studies have shown that Autism is more prevalent in boy than in girls, with a male to female ratio of 3:1 (Muhle et al., 2004). It is unclear why exactly autism tends to develop in males rather than females, but the fact that males are more statistically prone to develop Autism, suggests that the genes associated with the sex X chromosome may ...
Wattendorf, Daniel. "Diagnosis and Management of Fragile X Syndrome." Am Fam Physician (2005): 111-113. Web. 30 May 2010. .
Trautner, H. M., Ruble, D. N., Cyphers, L., Kirsten, B., Behrendt, R., & Hartmann, P. (2005).
He published a comprehensive medical description of the syndrome. It was not until 1959, that it became clear the syndrome was due to lack of sex chromosome material. Turner's Syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder that affects one in approximately 2,500 females. Females normally have two X-chromosomes. However, in those with Turner's Syndrome, one X chromosome is absent or is damaged.
Timpano, K. R., Keough, M. E., Mahaffey, B., Schmidt, N. B., & Abramowitz, J. (2010).
Anyone can be born with Down syndrome because it is a random event. Down syndrome is not usually inherited, but can be inherited...
Barker, V., Giles, H., Hajek, C., Ota, H., Noels, K., Lim, T-S., & Somera, L. (2008).