What is the life expectancy of a child with Williams syndrome?
What Is the Life-Expectancy of Williams Syndrome? Is There a Cure? The average loss of lifespan or life expectancy is estimated to be about 10-20 years, but there is a lack of data to confirm this.
Why is Williams syndrome called the Happy syndrome?
Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder resulting in a variety of medical and developmental features, one of which is a frequent outward presentation of substantial happiness.
What is Williams syndrome facial features?
Young children with Williams syndrome have distinctive facial features including a broad forehead, puffiness around the eyes, a flat bridge of the nose, full cheeks, and a small chin. Many affected people have dental problems such as teeth that are small, widely spaced, crooked, or missing.
Is Williams syndrome a birth defect?
Williams syndrome, also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by growth delays before and after birth (prenatal and postnatal growth retardation), short stature, a varying degree of mental deficiency, and distinctive facial features that typically become more pronounced with age.
Is Williams syndrome a form of autism?
Williams Syndrome (WS) is not an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although there is some overlap between the two conditions. WS and ASD have opposite characteristics in the social domain, but share some common behavioral and cognitive deficiencies.
Do children with Williams syndrome talk?
Communication difficulties: Most children with Williams syndrome develop speech skills later than other children their age. With intervention, most children develop the ability to communicate wants and needs effectively. In fact, for many children with Williams syndrome, expressive language may be a relative strength.
Are people with Williams syndrome nice?
People with Williams syndrome are described as having exceptionally friendly personalities, extremely sensitive and empathic, and therefore are also called “love children.” Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the deletion of one of the two copies of about 26 genes found on chromosome 7 in humans [1].
Can people with Williams syndrome have kids?
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.
Can a person with Williams syndrome have children?
Can a person with Williams syndrome live a normal life?
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). Oftentimes, people with Williams syndrome will need additional support as they grow into adults.
Is Williams syndrome considered a disability?
Williams Syndrome is considered to be a disability, however you cannot immediately claim SSI if your child has it because it’s not a listing claim.
Is Williams syndrome a learning disability?
As well as a learning disability, people with Williams syndrome will often share distinctive facial characteristics including a wide mouth with a pronounced bottom lip, slightly high and rounded cheeks, and widely-spaced teeth.
Can people with Williams syndrome talk?
Do 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).
What is unusual about many people with Williams syndrome?
People with Williams syndrome (WS) often an unusual “elfin” appearance, with a low nasal bridge. Unique personality traits include a high level of sociability and very good communication skills. The high level of verbal skills may mask other developmental problems and sometimes contribute towards a late diagnosis.