Can people with Williams syndrome read?

Among the adults with Williams syndrome with classic deletions who have participated in my research are not only several individuals who cannot read at all but also a woman who decodes and comprehends at the level expected for entering university students.

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Can children with Williams syndrome read?

The ulti- mate level of reading achievement will be affected by a child's intellec- tual ability, among other factors, but most, if not all, children with Wil- liams syndrome should be able to learn to read if effective instruction is provided.

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Can people with Williams syndrome have normal intelligence?

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).

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Do people with Williams syndrome have learning difficulties?

Description. Williams syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.

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What are people with Williams syndrome good at?

Often, children with Williams syndrome have strong verbal and communication skills, which could mask delays to their cognitive abilities, which are common in Williams syndrome-like learning numbers and letters, differentiating between real and abstract and their ability to understand the space between objects.

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Living with "The Happy Syndrome" (It Makes You Friendly)

25 related questions found

Are people with Williams syndrome always happy?

Williams syndrome is called the happy syndrome because people with this condition often have outgoing, friendly personalities and tend to be very social. They may have a unique ability to connect with others and form strong bonds, making them appear very happy and engaging.

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Why are kids with Williams syndrome so happy?

And they found that people with Williams syndrome have a lot more oxytocin than everybody else, and that it fluctuates wildly in the brain. As a result, they feel this biological impulse to love all the time.

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Does Williams syndrome get worse with age?

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.

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Is Williams syndrome like autism?

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.

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Can people with Williams syndrome be sad?

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.

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Can Williams syndrome be mild?

Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic disorder. People with WS may have mild to moderate delays in their cognitive development (ability to think and reason) or learning difficulties.

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Is Williams syndrome overly friendly?

Individuals with WS typically demonstrate an overly friendly, affectionate, engaging, and socially disinhibited personality [6, 12].

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Are people with Williams syndrome nice?

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.

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Is Williams syndrome associated with ADHD?

Children with Williams syndrome frequently present with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there is little information that stimulant medication is useful in this population.

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Is Williams syndrome a mental disability?

Williams syndrome is caused by a microdeletion of at least 16 genes on chromosome 7q11. 23. The syndrome results in mild to moderate mental retardation or learning disability. The behavioral phenotype for Williams syndrome is characterized by a distinctive cognitive profile and an unusual personality profile.

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Is Williams syndrome progressive?

Older children and adults with Williams syndrome may develop progressive joint problems that limit their range of motion.

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What is unusual about many people with Williams syndrome?

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.

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Does Williams syndrome affect IQ?

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.

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Do kids with Williams syndrome sleep?

Parents of 57 of the 96 children (59.4%) indicated that their child had difficulty falling asleep. Thirteen children (out of 95, 13.7%) were reported to wake up more than twice per night and 26 (out of 95, 27.4%) had difficulty falling back asleep if they woke up at night.

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Can you live a normal life with Williams syndrome?

Despite the possibility of medical problems, most children and adults with Williams syndrome are healthy and lead active, full lives.

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How do you talk to someone with Williams syndrome?

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.

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What is the average lifespan for a person with Williams syndrome?

Patients usually have a normal life expectancy. Some patients may have a reduced life expectancy. This is due to complications related to the heart and kidney. There is no cure for Williams syndrome.

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Is there a spectrum for Williams syndrome?

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.

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Do people with Williams syndrome get married?

Pober says few people with William's syndrome marry, and even fewer have children. But this may be changing, Pober says.

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What is it like to live with Williams syndrome?

Jessica's daughter, Isabelle, has Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder with a number of symptoms. Children with Williams are often physically small and frequently have developmental delays. But also, kids and adults with Williams love people, and they are literally pathologically trusting. They have no social fear.

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