UIUC Development in Neurogenetic Disabilities Lab

07/23/2026

World Fragile X Day raises awareness about fragile X, celebrates families and individuals with fragile X, and highlights advances in fragile X research.

Thank you again to State Farm Center for helping us raise awareness!

A note from Dr. Mattie aka Dr. Laura (IFYKY): Every year when I drive by to see State Farm illuminated for fragile X I am filled with pride for the fragile X community and our university community. I am grateful to get to be a part of both! My picture may look similar every year, but I still take one each year!

FRAXA Research Foundation
National Fragile X Foundation
College of AHS at Illinois
Department of Speech & Hearing Science at Illinois

07/22/2026

Today is World Fragile X Day!!

Check out all the cool places that will be illuminated today by going here: https://share.google/ozBNhhSpRYJ3EY542

If you’re in Champaign-Urbana, State Farm Center will be illuminated tonight! Go out at 📸

FRAXA Research Foundation
The National Fragile X Foundation
Department of Speech & Hearing Science at Illinois
College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois

💚 Today is Fragile X Awareness Day.

Throughout this month, we've been reminded that raising awareness isn't just about sharing facts - it's about sharing stories, building connections, and creating a world where every individual and family affected by Fragile X feels seen and supported.

To everyone who shared their journey, organized an X Strides event, hosted fundraisers, advocated, educated others, wore green, or challenged themselves to make a difference - thank you. Every conversation, every post, and every act of support helps move our mission forward.

Awareness doesn't end today. Together, we'll continue advocating, educating, supporting research, and building a stronger Fragile X community.

Happy Fragile X Awareness Day, and thank you for being part of this incredible community.

07/21/2026

Thanks to State Farm Center for partnering with us again for World Fragile X Day!

FRAXA Research Foundation
The National Fragile X Foundation

Tomorrow night, State Farm Center lights up for World Fragile X Day.

Though rare, Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. An estimated 1 in 7,000 males and 1 in 11,000 females have FXS.

Help us spread awareness about the research into this genetic disorder.

(📸: World Fragile X Day 2024 / Laura Mattie)

UIUC Development in Neurogenetic Disabilities Lab

07/21/2026

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Global Down Syndrome Foundation's goal is to significantly improve ...

07/18/2026

Fun early morning walk for fragile X!

07/18/2026

Dr. Mattie is talking about early communication this morning with her colleagues Dr. Hoffmann and Ms. Vincent from RUSH! Come chat with us for this family friendly session National Fragile X Foundation conference

07/17/2026

If you are at the National Fragile X Foundation conference come say Hi 👋 at our poster session tonight at 6:30!

07/14/2026

While in Panama, Dr. Mattie and Daniela took a boat tour of the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake. Some monkeys joined them!

07/13/2026

We’re working on something new!

Before children develop language, they communicate through behaviors such as gestures, non-speech vocalizations, and eye gaze. 👁️

Speech and Hearing Science Associate Professor Laura Mattie is the principal investigator on the research project, “Using Developmental Machine Learning to Code Eye Gaze in Down Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome.”

A $29,987 grant funded by the Center for Social and Behavioral Science will enable Mattie and co-investigator Jim Regh to test an artificial intelligence-powered model, AnyGaze, on its ability to code the eye gaze of children with Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.

The researchers will develop a refined AnyGaze AI model to annotate single-, dual-, and triadic eye gaze moments in neurotypical and neurodevelopmental populations.