Williams syndrome awareness month Archives - Special Needs Resource and Training Blog

Date: May 1- May 30, 2022

May is Williams Syndrome Awareness Month.

What is Williams Syndrome?

Williams Syndrome also known as Williams-Beuren syndrome was discovered in 1961 by J.C.P. Williams, a Cardiologist from New Zealand. Williams Syndrome is a rare disorder with a prevalence of in 7,500 to 20,000 caused by the deletion of genetic material from chromosome 7. Williams syndrome symptoms include heart problems, low birth weight, l problems and developmental delays. 75 are diagnosed with mile to moderate intellectual disabilities or a learning disability.

Facts and Statistics

It is a genetic condition that is present a birth.
It is a developmental disorder
Tend to have a mild or moderate intellectual disability.
It is also known as Beuren Syndrome and Williams-Beuren Syndrome.
The symptoms were first described by John C.P. Williams in 1961.
A year later, German Physician, A.J. Beuren described three new incidents of patients with similar facial features.
It is caused by the spontaneous deletion of 26-28 genes on Chromosome #7
The deletion is caused by either the sperm or the egg.
The deletion is present at the time of conception
The most common symptoms of Williams Syndrome includes unusual facial features and heart defects.
The diagnosis is typically confirmed after identifying facial features and genetic testing.
An individual with Williams Syndrome has a 50% chance of passing the disorder on to their children.
Williams Syndrome affects 1 in 10,000 people worldwide.
An estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people in the United States are affected.
It occurs in both males and females equally
It is found in every culture
Individuals with Williams Syndrome tend to be overly friendly.
People with Williams Syndrome often have difficulty with visual-spatial tasks
Congenital heart defects (CHD) occur in approximately 75 percent of children
By the age of 30, the majority of individuals with Williams Syndrome have pre-diabetes or diabetes.