FRAGILE-X AND DOWNS-SYNDROME - ARE THERE SYNDROME-SPECIFIC COGNITIVE PROFILES AT LOW IQ LEVELS

Individuals with either fragile-X syndrome or Down's syndrome with IQ scores less than 40 were assessed on the Down Syndrome Mental Status E xam. The results of the testing were examined for syndrome-specific co gnitive profiles. No evidence for syndrome-specific cognitive profiles were found. These same individuals were then classified as high or lo w IQ, and each group was examined for IQ-level-specific profiles. Uniq ue IQ level cognitive profiles were found. Classifying the individuals with regard to aetiology obscured IQ-level-specific strengths and wea knesses. Researchers and developers of curricula are cautioned against generalizing cognitive profiles to all IQ levels of a specific geneti c syndrome.