Language Skills Influence Transition Planning in Adolescents With Fragile X Syndrome.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Boorom, Olivia, ; Fielding-Gebhardt, Heather; Bredin-Oja, Shelley; Fleming, Kandace; Swinburne Romine, Rebecca E.; Brady, Nancy
- Source
- American Journal on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities; Jan2024, Vol. 129 Issue 1, p56-72, 17p
- Subject
- Teenagers
Language ability
Mothers
Fragile X syndrome
Working mothers
- Language
- ISSN
- 19447515
Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and their parents have a range of experiences navigating the crucial transition period between adolescence and adulthood. Semistructured interviews of 47 mothers of adolescents with FXS (mean child age = 15.89 years) were analyzed to identify mothers' changing expectations during the adolescent period and parent goals related to work and postsecondary education. Mothers' work and education goals were explored in relation to child factors such as language skills and autism characteristics. Lower language skills were associated with lower likelihood of reporting vocational goals. Results suggest that adolescents with FXS with lower language ability are less likely to have vocational plans for adulthood during this critical period and may need greater transition planning assistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]