Williams syndrome

People with Williams syndrome have a piece of information missing in a chromosome.

A chromosome is part of a cell.

Every living thing is made of lots of cells.

No-one knows why Williams syndrome happens.

Williams syndrome does not happen very often.  It happens to about 1 in every 18 thousand people in the UK.

Williams syndrome is not passed on from parent to child.

Everyone with Williams syndrome is different.

Lots of people with Williams syndrome have a learning disability .

Children with Williams syndrome might not start to do things like holding a toy or walking as quickly as other children.

Most people with Williams syndrome have:

• a wide mouth with a big bottom lip
• high and round cheeks
• big gaps between their teeth.  

People with Williams syndrome talk a lot and are sometimes very friendly.

When people with Williams syndrome get older, they might have problems with their health and mental health.  For example they might get anxiety and depression.  

It can be difficult to find out if your child has Williams syndrome.

Talk to your doctor if you are worried about your child.

A blood test can help to find out if your child has Williams syndrome.

Your child might have Williams syndrome if they:

• did not weigh very much when they were born 
• are growing more slowly than other children
• are sick a lot
• find it difficult to feed
• find it difficult to do a poo or do not poo very often
• find it difficult to sleep.

People with Williams syndrome can be happy and do things they enjoy if they have the right support.

People with Williams syndrome might find physiotherapy and speech and language therapy helpful.

Physiotherapy can be exercises, massage or other treatment to help you to move better.

The Williams Syndrome Foundation has lots of information and support.

You can also contact the Learning Disability helpline for more information and support:

• email Helpline@mencap.org.uk 
• phone 0808 808 1111