FragileX

What is a consensus-based document?

The Guidelines represent expert consensus and not evidence-based studies. The clinical committee of the FXCRC could be thought of as a "consensus panel" since virtually every clinician in the USA seeing and managing a large number of patients with FXS is represented. When these guidelines were written there was an attempt made to review everything in the literature on the respective topics. However, there is not much literature to review on many of them. This lack of published data was one reason why this project was started -- as an attempt to have at least some form of guidelines for best practices generated by consensus of all the physicians working on Fragile X, even if no studies existed. The project was also viewed as one way of generating priorities for future studies to provide evidence that will guide practice.

These guidelines, though not evidence-based (because no published evidence exists), were vetted through a formal process which consisted of the following:

• Topics were selected by the clinical committee of the FXCRC.
• These were presented to the entire FXCRC and the list revised based on input from the entire consortium.
• The clinical committee chose a main author from the committee for each guideline paper, based on the person's areas of interest and expertise. This person reviewed the literature on the topic and wrote the guideline based on what was available, including expert clinical opinion.
• The written guideline was reviewed by another expert on the clinical committee and then by the entire committee.
• These documents were then reviewed by a professional from the FXCRC who is not on the clinical committee but works in an area of expertise relevant to the guideline paper.
• After this second level of review and revision, the documents were submitted to the entire FXCRC for review. The posted guidelines all earned consensus agreement from the members of the FXCRC that they represented best practice recommendations, based on current knowledge and practice from Fragile X clinics and clinicians.

The guidelines are meant to reflect the best information we have at any given time, and thus they are not "set in stone" but are expected to be documents that change as they are updated, revised and improved as new information becomes available through publications and through FXCRC projects. They will be reviewed and revised to incorporate new information every two years by the clinical committee of the FXCRC.

Assessment in Fragile X Syndrome

Behavioral Problems in Fragile X Syndrome

Educational Guidelines for Fragile X Syndrome: General

Educational Guidelines for Fragile X Syndrome: Preschool through Elementary Students

Educational Guidelines for Fragile X Syndrome: Middle and High School Students

Financial Resources for Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X-associated Primary Ovarian Insufficiency

Fragile X-associated Tremor-Ataxia Syndrome

Genetic Counseling and Family Support

Genetic Counseling and Family Support Complimentary Material - FMR1.pdf

Hyperarousal in Fragile X Syndrome

Medications for Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome

Physical Problems in Fragile X Syndrome

Seizures in Fragile X Syndrome

Sleep in Children with Fragile X Syndrome

Toileting Issues in Fragile X Syndrome

Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in the Treatment of Fragile X Syndrome