2 DEC 2023 · Second in a 2-part series presented by psychologist Dr Jennifer Epstein to help parents and carers understand the type of approach that may be most successful for their child or adult, based on individualised factors, in achieving success with toileting skills. This webinar focusses on support strategies for children over the age of 10 and older through adulthood. Part A in this series provides very useful background about the trajectory of toileting skills development for individuals with Fragile X syndrome, and the challenges that the delays associated with Fragile X syndrome present. It is recommended listening. Dr Epstein is co-founder of South Shore Psychological Services in the US (Massachusetts). She is a regular presenter for the National Fragile X Foundation in the US, and has many years of experience in Fragile X clinics and supporting individuals with Fragile X syndrome in her practice. Toileting Part B was recorded 2 December 2023.

18 NOV 2023 · Communication, sensory, motor, physiology & cognitive delays are commonly associated with Fragile X syndrome. These delays can pose challenges for building toileting skills in childhood and retaining those skills throughout life. Psychologist Dr Jennifer Epstein joined our webinar series to help parents and carers understand the type of approach that may be most successful for their child or adult, based on individualised factors. This webinar focusses on support strategies for children to the age of 10. Dr Epstein shared data from the US FORWARD Study which illustrates toileting skill development trajectories for female and male children with Fragile X syndrome, from early childhood to teens. Dr Epstein is co-founder of South Shore Psychological Services in the US (Massachusetts). She is a regular presenter for the National Fragile X Foundation in the US, and has many years of experience in Fragile X clinics and supporting individuals with Fragile X syndrome in her practice. Part A November 2023. Part B focussed on support strategies for older children and adults and was recorded on 2 December 2023.

11 NOV 2023 · Fragile X-associated anxiety has a significant impact on daily living and on behaviours for children & adults with Fragile X syndrome. Psychologist and special educator Dr Braden discusses how this anxiety is different to that experienced by neurotypical individuals. She presents practical tips and strategies for helping an individual to manage the anxiety and achieve the best outcomes. Essential viewing for parents, carers, family members, educators, therapists, disability support workers, employers and everyone who is supporting a child or an adult with Fragile X syndrome. This webinar, presented in November 2023, is an update of Dr Braden’s earlier webinar on Anxiety. It was co-hosted by Fragile X Association of Australia and Fragile X New Zealand.

10 AUG 2023 · Dr Jonathan Cohen MD presents a discussion of conditions associated with Fragile X syndrome and the types of medications which may be recommended to treat these conditions, which include anxiety, ADHD, aggression and self-injury, OCD, mood disorders, epilepsy and sleep disorders. Webinar recorded 10 August 2022. Dr Jonathan Cohen MD is the Medical Director of the Fragile X Alliance Clinic in Melbourne. https://fragilex.com.au/ Dr Cohen is a member of the FXAA Fragile X Scientific Clinical and Research Committee. He is a regular presenter in the FXAA webinar series.

13 JUL 2023 · Announcing the first Australian study of adults living with Fragile X syndrome. From early 2024, our collaboration with Centre for Disability Studies (at University of Sydney) will: * Explore the need for and effectiveness of supports for the ADULTS, particularly those in residential care / group home settings * Explore the need for and effective supports for CARERS of the adults living at home, eg supports for future care planning and transition in later life * Produce best practice information resources and care strategies for the disability and aged care workforce * Generate recommendations and advocate for health policy and practice improvements. From our FX Research Roundup webinar 13 July 2023.

13 JUL 2023 · r Honey Heussler describes the scientific rationale underpinning the RECONNECT cannabidiol (CBD) FX clinical trial currently underway in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne & Sydney. The RECONNECT study is looking to understand whether the (Zynerba) ZYGEL CBD transdermal gel product helps in some behavioural issues associated with Fragile X syndrome. Dr Honey Heussler outlined the working of the human endocannabinoid system, the impact of Fragile X syndrome on that system, and how cannabidiol (non-THC CBD) can provide regulation and control. Dr Heussler also outlined the operation and findings of the earlier clinical trial phases which have preceded Zynerba’s current RECONNECT study. The RECONNECT study remains open in Australia until 31 March 2024. Individuals with a diagnosis of Fragile X syndrome and who are aged 3-22 years old and have behavioural symptoms may be eligible to participate in the study. From our FX Research Roundup webinar July 2023.

14 JUN 2023 · Bev Kadish is an occupational therapist who has supported children and adults who have Fragile X syndrome through the Fragile X Alliance clinic and her own private practice. Bev discussed the key role sensory processing plays in daily life, and how the sensory processing disorders some people with Fragile X syndrome experience can impact behaviours and daily living. Bev discussed a range of strategies to help give the person who has Fragile X the best chance to feel calm, alert and organised as a result of appropriate sensory input.

18 MAY 2023 · Sleep disturbance is common in children who have Fragile X syndrome. Sleep specialist Dr Helen (Honey) Heussler unpacks what lies behind the problems initiating and maintaining sleep. She discusses normal sleep development, sleep cycles, the impact that neurodevelopmental disorders such as Fragile X syndrome have on sleep patterns, and predictors for sleep disorders in children. Dr Heussler presented practical strategies for environmental and behavioural modifications to help achieve good sleep for children with Fragile X syndrome. Dr Heussler is a Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrician with a dual qualification in Sleep Medicine. She is Medical Director of the Child Development Program at the Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service in Brisbane, and runs a Fragile X Clinic at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. In the second part of this webinar sleep specialist Dr Jasneek Chawla spoke about a 3-year multi-centre study to enable early effective sleep interventions to improve functional outcomes and quality of life in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The study is run through Queensland Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Westmead (Sydney), and Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. Parents of children with Fragile X syndrome are invited to participate in the multiple phases of the study, by way of surveys etc. Overall goal – to develop national guidelines for the diagnosis and management of sleep problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Webinar recording from May 2023.

1 MAR 2023 · In this webinar, Dr. Marsha Braden is finishing up a lecture on learning and teaching individuals with Fragile X Syndrome. The lecture focuses on matching the phenotype and learning characteristics of those with Fragile X Syndrome to reading and math programs. Dr. Braden provides examples of reading programs that use a visual global learning style, such as the Logo Reading System, and emphasizes the importance of comprehension in learning to read. For math, Dr. Braden recommends teaching functional math skills, such as number identification and shape identification, rather than spending time on facts and math in general. She also introduces the Equivalence Board, which matches objects on one side of the board with those on the other side, as a teaching tool for individuals with Fragile X Syndrome.

1 FEB 2023 · In this webinar, Dr. Marsha Braden gives a lecture on learning styles and processes for individuals with Fragile X syndrome. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that individuals with Fragile X never stop learning Dr. Braden explains that there is a lack of a particular protein that is important for learning and cognition, which results in anxiety, short-term memory problems, and attention problems. Individuals with Fragile X prefer to learn simultaneously rather than sequentially and have a compulsive need to close things out. Dr. Braden highlights that imitation is a significant skill for these individuals to learn.