People with Williams syndrome (WS) are not "normal" in the typical sense because it's a rare genetic disorder with distinctive physical features, developmental delays, learning disabilities (especially spatial/visual), and unique personality traits like extreme sociability, but they are individuals with different strengths, challenges, and full lives, often excelling in music and language, and contributing to society. They experience specific medical issues (like heart problems) and cognitive differences, yet possess remarkable social skills, musicality, and an endearing nature, making them unique, not "abnormal" in a negative way, say Williams Syndrome Association and MedlinePlus.
It is important to remember that there are no universal features, and every person affected by Williams syndrome is unique. Individuals born with Williams syndrome have a normal life expectancy but may experience medical, cognitive and behavioral challenges of varying severity.
Williams syndrome can be diagnosed shortly after birth, yet sometimes it is mild and goes undetected until later in childhood when a heart murmur is noticed by a doctor.
People with Williams syndrome can develop physical and mental health problems later in life, including anxiety and depression.
(7/15) The Myth: People with Williams syndrome can't/won't drive. Mythbuster: A small but growing number of individuals are obtaining licenses and drive themselves to work and around town daily – in cars or even a few on motorcycles.
Individuals with WS exhibit consistent and unique patterns of social behavior, characterized by an overly friendly, affectionate, engaging, and socially disinhibited personality particularly toward strangers, apparent cross-culturally, and through separable channels of communication, such as eye gaze and language.
Most individuals with Williams syndrome have a degree of intellectual disability, ranging from mild to severe. Research studies have suggested that IQ scores for children with Williams syndrome range from 40 to 112, with a mean IQ score of 68 which equates to a mild intellectual disability (average IQ is 100).
There are no significant physical reasons why people with Williams Syndrome cannot conceive normally, but their own health may pose a potential risk, particularly if they have a heart condition. There are also issues to consider about the reality of coping with pregnancy, birth and a child or children.
The mental age of participants was assessed using the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Cognitive Ability-Revised (WJ-COG-R; Woodcock & Johnson, 1989–1990). The mean mental age of the entire sample was 6 years 3 months (range: 2.16–10.58 years), typical of the WS population.
Several studies have examined aggression in Williams syndrome and a review of aggression is far less common in Williams syndrome (6-15%) compared to other syndromes such as Smith-Magenis, Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes, who all have rates over 70%.
Inheritance. Most cases of Williams syndrome are not inherited. The chromosomal alteration usually occurs as a random event during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs or sperm) in a parent of an affected individual. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.
Individuals with William syndrome are often described as hyper-sociable, talkative and friendly, often very empathetic, polite, and happy. People with WS may also display behavior issues and anxiety beginning at a very young age, and some may have specific phobias and fears.
One notable person with the syndrome is Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, a Canadian actress and singer who won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress in 2014 for her performance in the film Gabrielle. Another is Jeremy Vest, member of the How's Your News? team, featured in the US TV series and film of the same name.
Williams syndrome (WS) should be suspected in individuals with the following findings: Intellectual disability affects most individuals and is typically mild. Specific cognitive profile includes strengths in verbal short-term memory and language and extreme weakness in visuospatial construction.
Residents with Williams syndrome who desire employment are often enrolled in Job Skills Training. They learn the importance of staying on task, arriving at work on time, taking directions and adopting appropriate behaviors in an employment setting.
Conclusions. Persons with WS had a less-favorable dietary pattern when compared to persons with PWS. A larger proportion of persons living in communities frequently consumed precooked meals and showed a tendency of high-frequency soft drink consumption.
That is a familiar experience for people with Williams Syndrome (WS), a rare genetic condition that affects approximately 1 in 7,500 individuals. People with WS, often dubbed the 'opposite of autism', have an innate desire to hug and befriend total strangers.
Those with Asperger's syndrome, in contrast, must by definition have suffered no cognitive delay during their first 3 years of life. This means that they will usually have at least a “normal” IQ. In some cases, their IQ may be very high, even in the genius range. There are, however, different kinds of smarts.
Williams syndrome (WS) is associated with atypical social communication and cognition reminiscent of the behaviours observed in autism. Nonetheless, WS also differs significantly from autism, such as regarding social motivation, which is typically enhanced in WS and reduced in autism.
Changes with Age in Williams Syndrome
The profile of cognitive strengths and weakness reported in Williams syndrome also remains relatively stable with age, although some improvements with age are reported, particularly for performance IQ. Reading and spelling may improve but only minimally.
Some adults are able to function independently, complete academic or vocational school, and live in supervised homes or on their own; most live with a caregiver. Parents can increase the likelihood that their child will be able to live semi-independently by teaching self-help skills early.
The ARC provides some supplemental financial aid to qualifying families of individuals with disabilities, including Williams syndrome. Visit The Arc to find a local office in your area.
Snoop Dogg has publicly stated he has an IQ of 147, a score that falls into the "highly gifted" or "genius" category, much to his own surprise given his self-described average school performance (straight Cs). While this self-reported score suggests exceptional intellect, IQ tests measure specific cognitive abilities, and success in life and business (like Snoop Dogg's multifaceted career as a rapper, entrepreneur, and media personality) reflects a broader range of intelligence and skills.
Matt Damon
The Hollywood heavyweight, who boasts an IQ of 160, famously completed the project with his longtime friend Ben Affleck.
Of all the different mental health problems, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) tends to affect the highest number of individuals (over 60%) with Williams syndrome. ADHD is characterised by persistent inattention and hyperactivity and is also a common disorder of childhood in the general population.