What is Williams syndrome?

Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder.

In most cases it’s caused by a small bit missing from chromosome 7. And in most cases this happens by chance while the eggs or sperm are being formed in the parents’ bodies before conception. But people with Williams syndrome have a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.

Williams syndrome is a rare condition that happens in 1 in 7500-20 000 births. It affects boys and girls equally.

This syndrome is sometimes known as Williams-Beuren syndrome. It was first described by Dr Williams and colleagues in 1961, and Dr Beuren in 1962.

Signs and symptoms of Williams syndrome

Physical characteristics
Young children with Williams syndrome have distinctive facial features. These include:

• broad forehead
• small upturned nose
• wide mouth with full lips
• small chin
• puffiness around the eyes.

Other physical features include:

• low muscle tone and loose joints – joint stiffness sometimes develops as children get older
• short stature compared with other people in the family, although children sometimes catch up a bit in later childhood
• dental problems like small, widely spaced teeth, or crooked or missing teeth.

Intellectual ability signs
About three-quarters of people with Williams syndrome have intellectual disability. Many children with Williams syndrome also have:

• speech delay – a child’s first word might come as late as three years old. The child then usually develops relatively good verbal abilities, which can be used to help other areas of learning
• developmental delays – for example, with walking and toilet training
• difficulties with fine motor skills
• difficulty with tasks like drawing or doing puzzles.

Behavioural signs
Children with Williams syndrome often have behavioural signs like:

• a very friendly nature and readiness to trust strangers
• fewer inhibitions in social situations
• anxiety and phobias
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• difficulty reading social cues – for example, when people are annoyed
• tantrums.

Medical concerns linked to Williams syndrome
People with Williams syndrome can have:

• problems with their hearts or blood vessels, which can range from minor to severe and needing surgery
• low birth weight and failure to thrive
• feeding problems including colic and reflux
• an underactive thyroid gland
• increased risk of diabetes
• vision problems
• elevated blood calcium levels in childhood
• sensitive hearing.

Diagnosis and testing for Williams syndrome

Health professionals can diagnose Williams syndrome by looking for the syndrome’s key characteristics – distinctive facial features, heart problems, feeding difficulties and developmental delay.

They can confirm Williams syndrome with genetic testing.

Early intervention services for children with Williams syndrome

Although there’s no cure for Williams syndrome, early intervention can make a difference. Through early intervention services, you can work with health professionals to treat your child’s symptoms, support your child, improve outcomes for your child and help your child reach his full potential.

The team of professionals involved in supporting you and your child might include paediatricians, psychologists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and special education teachers.

Health professionals recommend that children with Williams syndrome have assessments for heart and hearing problems once a year, as well as regular dental treatment.

Together, you and your team can choose treatment and therapy options to best help your child.

Financial support for children with Williams syndrome

If your child has a confirmed diagnosis of Williams syndrome, your child can get support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS helps you get services and support in your community, and gives you funding for things like early intervention therapies or one-off items like wheelchairs.

Looking after yourself and your family

If your child has Williams syndrome, it’s easy to get caught up in looking after her. But it’s important to look after your own wellbeing too. If you’re physically and mentally well, you’ll be better able to care for your child.

If you need support, a good place to start is with your GP and genetic counsellor. You can also get support from organisations like Genetic Alliance Australia.

Talking to other parents can be a great way to get support too. You can connect with other parents in similar situations by joining a face-to-face or an online support group.

If you have other children, these siblings of children with disability need to feel that they’re just as important to you – that you care about them and what they’re going through. It’s important to talk with them, spend time with them, and find the right support for them too.