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Understanding Williams Syndrome

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Comprehensive and readable, Understanding Williams Behavioral Patterns and Interventions is an essential guide for all those professionally, scientifically, or personally involved with this so frequently misunderstood and underserved population--psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health professionals; special educators and vocational counselors; speech-language, physical, and occupational therapists; audiologists; physicians; and parents.

In the last 20 years, Williams syndrome has captured the interest of large numbers of scientists and attracted considerable media attention in spite of its rarity (estimated at no more than one in 30,000 births). Those diagnosed display a unique pattern of behavioral, cognitive, and physical limitations and strengths with fascinating neurogenetic implications--a pattern that poses enormous challenges to their parents and caregivers.

The authors, a specialist in learning disabilities and a developmental psychologist, review basic information about Williams syndrome, its medical conditions, paradoxical profile, and neurobiological mechanisms; and discuss distinctive features of the language and perceptual and motor performance of children and adults with the syndrome.

Other features
* Strategies for working with patients.
* An examination of the difference between Williams syndrome and other developmental disorders.
* Problem-specific alternatives for treatment.
* Analysis of new directions in research, clinical intervention, education, and systems for care delivery.


Throughout, they stress variations among individuals and subgroups in ability level, skills, talents, and problem severity; and emphasize the necessity of recognizing these components in planning treatment on an individual basis.

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

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About the author

Eleanor Semel

40 books

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464 reviews98 followers
October 22, 2011
My youngest has Williams Syndrome and I have found this book quite valuable in comparative analysis and guidance for good learning techniques. I use this book as a reference during IEP development and share it with my son's caregivers in order to determine best methods for teaching my son.

The information is a little heavy and you will not be able to just sit down and read it with full understanding, but as a reference I have found it quite valuable. I wanted to ensure that there is a least one review for this book, so parents of children with Williams Syndrome will know it is a valuable tool.
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