Participants needed for Down, Fragile X syndrome study

The Waisman Center at UW–Madison is seeking help from families of adolescents with Down syndrome or Fragile X syndrome for a new research project on communication difficulties.

The project, led by UW–Madison educational psychologist Leonard Abbeduto, will look into the factors that cause communication problems in adolescents that have Down or Fragile X syndrome. It will also look at how those communication problems affect families.

Abbeduto said that the communication problems that are common to these conditions can interfere with school, work and social success. This study is trying to identify the most challenging parts of communication, which may lead to better remediation.

Eligible for the program are people between the ages of 11 and 22 who have Down or Fragile X syndromes and their parents. Adolescents will be asked to complete several games and tasks, while parents will complete questionnaires about their adolescents’ development.

To find out more about the project, contact Abbeduto at (608) 263-1737 or email at abbeduto@waisman.wisc.edu