From the 2006/2007 Distinguished Lecturer Series.  Fragile X syndrome is the leading inherited cause of intellectual disabilities and is often associated with serious language problems. My colleagues and I are interested in developing a more nuanced characterization of language problems in fragile X syndrome by examining (1) the extent of impairment in the various components of language and in prerequisite skills (such as hearing), (2) the relationships between language and nonlinguistic dimensions of the behavioral phenotype, and (3) possible environmental contributions. We have found a profile of relative strengths and weaknesses in the various components of language that distinguishes fragile X syndrome from Down syndrome and, perhaps, other disorders. We also find that variation in language skill among affected individuals is related to cognitive ability, autism status, and other nonlinguistic dimensions of the phenotype. And finally, we have preliminary results suggesting that mothers of children with fragile X syndrome display relatively low levels of psychological well-being, which may have implications for their children’s language learning. In this presentation, I will share our findings to date and present a model of the organismic and environmental factors affecting language learning in fragile X syndrome. Recorded May 9, 2007 16:00:00 PST.