William Syndrome

Londa Neely December 4, 2012

What is William Syndrome?

William Syndrome, also written as WS, is a rare genetic disorder that occurs when roughly 25 genes on chromosome 7 are lost. The lost can occur from the sperm(father) or the egg(mother) cell. William Syndrome effects 1 out of 10,00 people worldwide and there are approximately 20,000 to 30,000 people in the United States living with the disorder today.William Syndrome is known to appear equally in both males and females and in every culture. This is a picture of four year old Carter. Carter has Williams Syndrome demonstrate intellectual strengths William Syndrome. From this photo you can see that (speech, long term memory, and social skills) and Carter displays weaknesses (fine motor and spatial relations). some of the distinct The medical conditions associated with individuals physical with WS have heart and blood vessel problems, characteristics of an hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels), individual with feeding problems, irritability (colic during William Syndrome. infancy), kidney abnormalities, hernias, hyperacusis The physical (sensitive hearing), and musculoskeletal problems. characteristics of individuals with Doctors can identify William Syndrome by the William Syndrome are having a small upturned nose, distinctive physical characteristics of an individual long philtrum (upper lip length), wide mouth, full lips, with WS. When doctors confirm that an infant has small chin, and puffiness around the eyes. Also, WIlliam Syndrome they use a special technique called Carter has green eyes. Individuals with William FISH. FISH stands for Fluorescent In Situ Syndrome typically have blue or green eyes with a Hybridization. FISH allows DNA sequences to be "starburst" or white lacy pattern on their iris. labeled with a fluorescent chemical that lights up when exposed to ultraviolet light. The gene will light Individuals with William Syndrome have many up under the light only if it is present, if it does not medical conditions, developmental delays and light up the lost of chromosomes are confirmed. behavior characteristics as well. The distinct behavior characteristics of individuals with Williams Syndrome are that they have expressive language skills, are extremely polite, are unafraid of strangers and are more interested with adults than with their own peers. Also, individuals with William Syndrome have hypersensitivity to loud noises. Most individuals with Williams Syndrome have mild to severe learning disabilities. Young children with Williams Syndrome have developmental delays, with milestones like taking their first steps, beginning to talking and toilet training. Older individuals with
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Working with individuals with William Syndrome Be concrete and direct when teaching. Materials need to be simple and straightforward. Be child-centered with your word choice. Define words they want to know. Connect words into meaningful semantic categories to the child. Know child interests and use them for connections. Use of visuals aids are helpful.

Resources & Descriptions http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/williams/This website help explained William Syndrome, explained how there is no cure but ways to help individuals live their day-to-day lives as normal as possibly and explains FISH and greater detail. Although, the language use on this website is dated. Mental retardation is used instead of intellectual disability. http://www.williams-syndrome.org This website helps connects individuals with William Syndrome and their families with others individuals with William Syndrome and their families. It provides a community of support, knowledge and safety. This website gives educators helpful tips to best help students with William Syndrome in the classroom. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/williams/williams.htm This website further explains William Syndrome. This website also talks about the research associated with William Syndrome. http://abcnews.go.com/Health/friendly-extreme-meet-kids-adults-williams-syndrome/story? id=13795416#.UL18cpPjlEA This news website provides a video that gives insight to the day to day lives individuals with William Syndrome and their families. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/williams-syndrome This website like all the other explains William Syndrome and the characteristic. It also discusses the question if William Syndrome can be inherited?

For Families & Teachers http://www.williams-syndrome.org WSA, Williams Syndrome Association, was founded by families of individuals with Williams Syndrome for families of individuals with Williams Syndrome in 1982. The WSA website provides informational about what WS, characteristics of individuals with WS, information for where families of individuals with WS can go for answers, provides a safe place for where families to connect wit other families for support, and has a section just for educators. WSA provides a community of support for families, teachers and most importantly Individuals with William Syndrome. For Families http://whoneedswho.areavoices.com/2011/01/31/hello-world/ : This blog is good for parents to see that they are not alone in their journey through life with a child who as William Syndrome. This blog is where I got my picture of Carter from. It is written by his mother and is a place for her to share the ups and downs of having a child with William Syndrome For Teachers .http://wsfamilyofhope.org/Teachers_Therapists.php This website provides teaching strategies to best help Individuals with William Syndrome learn in the classroom.
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