Fragile X Association of Southern California

We want to welcome you to our website and let you know that you are family! We hope that you find the information you are looking for on this site!!

Our goal is to provide you information about local resources, educational seminars, family fun day events, fundraisers and most importantly connect you to a support system. We are on this journey together!! Read More

  The Fragile X Association of Southern California was formed in 1996 to promote public awareness of Fragile X Syndrome with special emphasis on educators and health professionals; provide a forum for families of children with Fragile X to meet and share their ideas, concerns, and problems; and support scientific research on Fragile X Syndrome. We are run entirely by Read More

What is Fragile X?

Fragile X occurs when there is a change, called a mutation, in a single gene called the FMR1 gene. Every human being has this gene. Some people have only a small change in this gene (referred to as a premutation) and may not show any symptoms associated with Fragile X. Persons with the premutation are called carriers and are at risk to develop other related conditions (see FXTAS and FXPOI below). Other people may have bigger changes in the gene (called a full mutation), which can cause the symptoms of Fragile X Syndrome.

Fragile X is inherited, which means it is passed down from parent to child. The changes in the gene can become greater when passed from mother to child, so a woman who has no symptoms related to Fragile X can have a child affected with Fragile X Syndrome. A male carrier can only pass the premutation, and will pass it to all of his daughters, but none of his sons. Fragile X affects people of all ethnicities, races, and socio-economic backgrounds. Fragile X is named because of the appearance of the X chromosome where the gene mutation occurs, not because individuals with the FMR1 mutation are in any way “fragile”. Read More