What does Williams syndrome tell us about the relationship between language and intelligence?

One set of conclusions regarding the cognitive phenotype of individuals with Williams Syndrome is that knowledge of language – and in particular syntax – is ‘spared’ or ‘intact’ relative to other cognitive systems and therefore that Williams Syndrome represents one side of a double dissociation between language and …

Is Williams syndrome a form of 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.

Does Williams syndrome affect you mentally?

Individuals with Williams syndrome experience more emotional, behavioral, and mental health problems and have higher rates of anxiety disorders (particularly specific phobias) than do the general population and many other groups who have intellectual disability (e.g., Dykens, 2003).

Is Williams syndrome a learning disability?

Williams syndrome is a lifelong condition; it cannot be cured. It causes learning disabilities, certain distinctive facial features, and an increased likelihood of developing certain health issues, such as heart problems.

What kind of language skills do people with Williams syndrome have?

Within language, the strongest skills are typically in concrete, practical vocabulary, which in many cases is in the low average to average range for the general population. Abstract or conceptual-relational vocabulary is much more limited. Most older children and adults with WS speak fluently and use good grammar.

How to know if your child has Williams syndrome?

Abstract or conceptual-relational vocabulary is much more limited. Most older children and adults with WS speak fluently and use good grammar. More than 50% of children with WS have attention deficit disorders (ADD or ADHD), and about 50% have specific phobias, such as a fear of loud noises.

What is the psycholinguistic profile of Williams syndrome?

The WS psycholinguistic profile is complex, including relative strengths in concrete vocabulary, phonological processing, and verbal short-term memory; and relative weaknesses in relational/conceptual language, reading comprehension, and pragmatics.

What’s the difference between autism and Williams syndrome?

“Children with Williams syndrome have elaborate and rich vocabularies and use very descriptive, affect-rich expressive language, which makes their speech very engaging,” she says. In terms of social behavior and language abilities, Williams syndrome is the opposite of autism. Individuals with autism are socially withdrawn and isolated.