Overview: What is Williams Syndrome?
Definition:
Williams Syndrome is a genetic disorder, resulting from the deletion of 26 or more genes one chromosome number 7 (Mervis et al., 2000). That seemingly small loss can affect numerous parts of a person’s physical and mental health, as well as social behavior and sensory perception (Genetics Home Reference, 2014).
Diagnosis:
Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that a child is born with and it can impact a child’s prenatal development as well as postnatal development. In some cases, it can be diagnosed at birth with symptoms such as low birth weight and distinct facial features such as:
- Typically present with smaller than average head
- Broad forehead
- Wide mouth with puffiness around lips …show more content…
Medical problems involving the eyes and vision, the digestive tract, and the urinary system are also possible”(Genetics Home Reference, 2014).
How will Williams Syndrome affect my child’s education?
As with most disabilities Williams syndrome presents in many ways and along a spectrum. In school any aid received by a student with WS should be based on that child’s needs not because of WS. “Most people with Williams syndrome will have mild to severe learning disabilities and cognitive challenges. Young children with Williams syndrome often experience developmental delays”(What is Williams Syndrome? (n.d.),2016). Milestones such as walking, talking and toilet training are often achieved somewhat later than is considered normal.
Traditional Academics:
● Distractibility is a common problem, but can improve as the children get older.
○ Approximately 65% of students with WS met the criteria for ADHD (DSM-IV) (Leyfer et al., …show more content…
(n.d.). Williams Syndrome - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Facts, Life Expectancy, Pictures. Retrieved 14 February 2016, from http://byebyedoctor.com/williams-syndrome/
Camps provide enrichment for young people with WS. (2014). Retrieved from http://georgecup.com/how-your-george-cup-donations-to-the-wsa-are-used/
Claussen, D., & Hanser, S. (2000). Music-elicited responses in individuals with Williams Syndrome. Paper presented at the symposium for the Society for Research in Psychology of Music and Music Education, University of Leicester, United Kingdom.“Williams Syndrome (WS): Recent Research on Music and Sound.” American Music Therapy Association http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/bib_williamssyndrome.pdf (accessed Oct. 2, 2013).
Farwig, K., Harmon, A., Fontana, K., Mervis, C., & Morris, C. (2010). Genetic counseling of adults with Williams syndrome: A first study. Am. J. Med. Genet., 154C(2), 307-315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.c.30264
Genetics Home Reference. (2014). Williams Syndrome. Retrieved 18 February 2016, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/williams-syndrome
Learn.genetics.utah.edu. (2016). Williams Syndrome. Retrieved 18 February 2016, from
Definition:
Williams Syndrome is a genetic disorder, resulting from the deletion of 26 or more genes one chromosome number 7 (Mervis et al., 2000). That seemingly small loss can affect numerous parts of a person’s physical and mental health, as well as social behavior and sensory perception (Genetics Home Reference, 2014).
Diagnosis:
Williams Syndrome is a genetic condition that a child is born with and it can impact a child’s prenatal development as well as postnatal development. In some cases, it can be diagnosed at birth with symptoms such as low birth weight and distinct facial features such as:
- Typically present with smaller than average head
- Broad forehead
- Wide mouth with puffiness around lips …show more content…
Medical problems involving the eyes and vision, the digestive tract, and the urinary system are also possible”(Genetics Home Reference, 2014).
How will Williams Syndrome affect my child’s education?
As with most disabilities Williams syndrome presents in many ways and along a spectrum. In school any aid received by a student with WS should be based on that child’s needs not because of WS. “Most people with Williams syndrome will have mild to severe learning disabilities and cognitive challenges. Young children with Williams syndrome often experience developmental delays”(What is Williams Syndrome? (n.d.),2016). Milestones such as walking, talking and toilet training are often achieved somewhat later than is considered normal.
Traditional Academics:
● Distractibility is a common problem, but can improve as the children get older.
○ Approximately 65% of students with WS met the criteria for ADHD (DSM-IV) (Leyfer et al., …show more content…
(n.d.). Williams Syndrome - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Facts, Life Expectancy, Pictures. Retrieved 14 February 2016, from http://byebyedoctor.com/williams-syndrome/
Camps provide enrichment for young people with WS. (2014). Retrieved from http://georgecup.com/how-your-george-cup-donations-to-the-wsa-are-used/
Claussen, D., & Hanser, S. (2000). Music-elicited responses in individuals with Williams Syndrome. Paper presented at the symposium for the Society for Research in Psychology of Music and Music Education, University of Leicester, United Kingdom.“Williams Syndrome (WS): Recent Research on Music and Sound.” American Music Therapy Association http://www.musictherapy.org/assets/1/7/bib_williamssyndrome.pdf (accessed Oct. 2, 2013).
Farwig, K., Harmon, A., Fontana, K., Mervis, C., & Morris, C. (2010). Genetic counseling of adults with Williams syndrome: A first study. Am. J. Med. Genet., 154C(2), 307-315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.c.30264
Genetics Home Reference. (2014). Williams Syndrome. Retrieved 18 February 2016, from http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/williams-syndrome
Learn.genetics.utah.edu. (2016). Williams Syndrome. Retrieved 18 February 2016, from