What is Williams syndrome?
Williams syndrome is a rare genetic condition.
It occurs randomly and affects 1 in 18,000 people in the UK. Williams syndrome is not passed on from parent to child.
Williams syndrome and learning disability
Williams syndrome affects everyone in different ways, but many people will have a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
. A child's development will be delayed if they have Williams syndrome, which means they may take longer to learn how to walk, talk, and develop other social skills.
How does Williams syndrome affect someone?
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.
People with Williams syndrome can develop physical and mental health problems later in life, including anxiety and depression.
People with Williams syndrome are very talkative and can be excessively friendly.
Hear from Katie
"When I was born, doctors said "she will never walk", "she may never talk". I proved them wrong when I did!Even though at the start of my life things were very uncertain, the future now is incredible. Who would have thought I would have succeeded in everything that I set my heart on doing.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Williams syndrome can be tricky. Contact your GP if you have any concerns about your child.
Williams syndrome is caused by a tiny piece of information in a chromosome missing. A simple blood test can tell if a chromosome is different to normal, which can help towards getting a diagnosis.
Early diagnosis can help you get the support you need, so make sure you contact a GP if you are worried.
Spotting the signs
Everyone with Williams syndrome will be be different, but some of the early signs of Williams syndrome in children can include:
- low birth weight and slow growth
- excessive vomiting and difficulty feeding
- constipation
- trouble sleeping
- hernias.
Living with Williams syndrome
With the right support, people with Williams syndrome can live a fulfilled life, in the way they choose.
Physical therapy and speech and language therapy can also help people with Williams syndrome develop as they grow up.
More conditions linked with Learning Disability
Get help and advice online with Mencap
Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or someone with a learning disability, we've created a tool that offers clear explanations, helpful resources, and
easy read
Easy Read is a way of making written information easier to understand. Pictures are usually added next to the writing.
resources to guide you towards the information you need.