Most people with Williams syndrome have a normal life expectancy, but some may have a reduced life expectancy due to complications of the disease (such as cardiovascular problems).
A degree of mental retardation is present in the majority of people with the disorder, and while some adults with Williams-Beuren syndrome have the ability to live independently, completing vocational or academic school and living on their own or in supervised homes, the majority of people with this disorder live with ...
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).
Although hyperactivity may reduce in adults, persistent distractibility is still noted for many. Adults with Williams syndrome may also be less eager to learn than children with Williams syndrome. Anxiety tends to persist with age and adults may acquire additional fears and phobias over time.
People with WS may have mild to moderate delays in their cognitive development (ability to think and reason) or learning difficulties. They also may have a distinctive facial appearance, and a unique personality that combines over-friendliness and high levels of empathy with anxiety.
People with Williams syndrome typically have difficulty with visual-spatial tasks such as drawing and assembling puzzles, but they tend to do well on tasks that involve spoken language, music, and learning by repetition (rote memorization).
Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning challenges.
Can people with Williams Syndrome have a child/children of their own? 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.
Anxiety is thought to affect between 60-90% of individuals with Williams syndrome. Mood regulation problems are also very common and often occur with ADHD, anxiety and sensory modulation difficulties.
Cardiovascular defects are the most common cause of death in patients with WS.
One of the characteristics of Williams syndrome is an inappropriate increase in social behavior. People with the syndrome may be overly friendly, even to strangers.
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by the deletion of genetic material on chromosome 7. Typical characteristics include distinctive facial features, mild intellectual disability and an overly sociable personality.
Autism and Williams syndrome are genetically based neurodevelopmental disorders that present strikingly different social phenotypes. Autism involves fundamental impairments in social reciprocity and communication, whereas people with Williams syndrome are highly sociable and engaging.
Although low mood in Williams syndrome is less well researched, there are indications that clinical depression diagnoses may be present in approximately 10% of individuals.
Older children and adults with Williams syndrome may develop progressive joint problems that limit their range of motion.
WS is associated with a strong drive to approach strangers, a gregarious personality, heightened social engagement yet difficult peer interactions, high non-social anxiety, unusual bias toward positive affect, and diminished sensitivity to fear.
3) Use simple, concrete language at all times. Avoid complex and abstract explanations or concepts. 4) Remember that the person with Williams Syndrome usually understands less than may be apparent from the way they talk.
Pober says few people with William's syndrome marry, and even fewer have children. But this may be changing, Pober says.
Williams syndrome is a spectrum disorder. There is a great deal of variability in individuals throughout the spectrum. Medical concerns and learning challenges, emotional issues, and anxiety are common and can be all-consuming at times. The severity of the challenges varies and can ebb and flow over the years.
Most patients with Williams syndrome are diagnosed as a newborn or in early childhood. The average age of diagnosis is around three and a half years.
Even claims about very low IQ turn out to be exaggerated. Williams syndrome IQ ranges from 48 to 85. True, people with Williams syndrome are often very loquacious and usually have better language than spatial skills, but the profile of the syndrome is unscientifically exaggerated by secondary sources.
Williams syndrome (WS; also known as Williams–Beuren syndrome; OMIM 194050), is a distinctive multisystem disorder (Figure 1, Supplementary box 1). The most common areas of involvement include the cardiovascular, central nervous, gastrointestinal and endocrine systems, although any organ system could be affected.
Our own research has shown that children with WS generally have a very limited vocabulary up until the mental age1 of 18 months and many children may not say their first word until they are older than two years. There are a number of reasons why language abilities may be delayed in WS.
Despite the possibility of medical problems, most children and adults with Williams syndrome are healthy and lead active, full lives.