Williams Syndrome
It is possible, despite a negative genetic test result from CHEO, where I underwent many a procedure as a child, I have Williams Syndrome.
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Symptoms I have that are consistent with Williams Syndrome:
(Please keep in mind, the genome deletion I would have had would be mild, so it wouldn't have impacted my IQ as much)
One study of 306 children with Williams syndrome found IQ scores ranging from 40 to 112 with a mean of 69.32 (the mean IQ score of the general population is 100).[36] IQ scores above this range have been reported in people with smaller genetic deletions.
One suggested factor in the increase in epidemiological prevalence estimates is that a substantial minority of individuals with the genetic markers of WS lack the characteristic facial features or the diminished intelligence considered to be diagnostic of the syndrome, and often are not immediately recognized as having the syndrome.[9][59]
Challenges with visual spatial tasks such as drawing, writing
Outgoing personality
Happy disposition
Openness to engaging with other people
Increased empathy and decreased aggression
Dental Irregularities, Defective Tooth Enamel
Cardiac Problems
People with Williams syndrome hyperfocus on the eyes of others in social engagements.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Abdominal Pain
High Risk of Developing Type Two Diabetes
Hyperacusia (Increased sensitivity to sound)
Phonophobia (fear or aversion to loud sounds)
Affable / Hyperverbal / Decreased Inhibition ability that stems from dorsal-frontal deficits / Talkative / Eager to please
Some evidence indicates that people with Williams Syndrome exhibit amygdalal hyperactivity when viewing happy facial expressions.
Inguinal Hernias
Adults are typically limited in their ability to live independently or work in competitive employment settings, but this developmental impairment is attributed more to psychological symptoms than physiological problems.
Higher Anxiety Levels (Had a diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
I still wrestle with anticipatory anxiety, sometimes!
Strongly Associated with ADHD (Had a diagnosis of ADHD)
Poor concentration / Hyperactivity / Lack of Social Inhibition
Strong Facial Recognition Skills
People with Williams syndrome tend to use speech that is rich in emotional descriptors, high in prosody (exaggerated rhythm and emotional intensity), and features unusual terms and strange idioms.[37]
Tantrums (If I ever have a tantrum with my wife I hope Jesus breaks my jaw!)
Among the hallmark traits of people with Williams syndrome is an apparent lack of social inhibition. Dykens and Rosner (1999) found that 100% of those with Williams syndrome were kind-spirited, 90% sought the company of others, 87% empathize with others' pain, 84% are caring, 83% are unselfish/forgiving, 75% never go unnoticed in a group, and 75% are happy when others do well.[39] Infants with Williams syndrome make normal and frequent eye contact, and young children with Williams will often approach and hug strangers. People affected by Williams syndrome typically have high empathy, showing relative strength in reading people's eyes to gauge intentions, emotions, and mental states.[40] The level of friendliness observed in people with Williams is often inappropriate for the social setting, however, and teens and adults with Williams syndrome often experience social isolation, frustration, and loneliness despite their clear desire to connect to other people.[37]
While these children often come off as happy due to their sociable nature, often there are internal drawbacks to the way they act. 76–86% of these children were reported as believing that they either had few friends or problems with their friends. This is possibly due to the fact that although they are very friendly to strangers and love meeting new people, they may have trouble interacting on a deeper level. 73–93% were reported as unreserved with strangers, 67% highly sensitive to rejection, 65% susceptible to teasing, and the statistic for exploitation and abuse was unavailable.[39][41][42][43][44] There are external problems as well. 91–96% demonstrate inattention, 75% impulsivity, 59–71% hyperactivity, 46–74% tantrums, 32–60% disobedience, and 25–37% fighting and aggressive behavior.[39][41][45]
A lot of bullying, abuse, and exploitation. I changed schools many times, faked sick due to bullying, and even took whole semesters off to hide and play World of Warcraft online (with people I thought were my friends).
I wouldn't consider myself disobedient or as exhibiting fighting and aggressive behaviour any more, but I attribute that to the Holy Spirit regenerating me.
Stellate pattern in the iris
Reliance on facial features to identify WS may cause a misdiagnosis of the condition. Among the more reliable features suggestive of WS are congenital heart disease, periorbital fullness ("puffy" eyes), and the presence of a long, smooth philtrum. Less reliable signs of the syndrome include anteverted nostrils, a wide mouth, and an elongated neck. Even with significant clinical experience, reliably identifying Williams syndrome based on facial features alone is difficult.[25]
I look a lot different now than I do when I was a child. But some of my physical characteristics match this.
Behavioral treatments have been shown to be effective. In regard to social skills, it may be effective to channel their nature by teaching basic skills. Some of these are the appropriate way to approach someone, how and when to socialize in settings such as school or the workplace, and warning of the signs and dangers of exploitation. For phobias, cognitive-behavioral approaches, such as therapy, are the recommended treatments. One of the things to be careful of with this approach is to make sure that the patients' "charming" nature does not mask any underlying feelings.
Perhaps the most effective treatment for those with WS is music. Those affected have shown relative strength in regards to music, albeit only in pitch and rhythm tasks. Not only do they show strength in the field, but also a particular fondness for it. Music may help with the internal and external anxiety with which these people are more likely to be afflicted.[56] Notably, the typical person processes music in the superior temporal and temporal gyri. Those with WS have reduced activation in these areas, but an increase in the right amygdala and cerebellum.[citation needed]
I love music! Always have, always will. Hymns, classical music and instrumental versions of contemporary music!
"They are not considered to have superior music ability."
I got a genetic test back from CHEO (A FISH test), where my mom took me many times as a child, saying I did not have the condition.
It is possible it was a false negative.
I would like to get another genetic test done elsewhere.
So I might have a genetic condition that medically might make me 'retarded' but I don't like the 'r-word'.
Either way.
Jesus loves me still.
I believe I have Williams Syndrome, despite the one test result to the contrary.
There are too many symptoms that are consistent.
And at The Royal I hear this a LOT!
"He's retarded, but he ain't retarded."
But that could be the synthetic telepathy of the No-Touch Torture, too!
Or any number of other things that they can do with that technology.
Is it super cool, and hip, and trendy to pick on someone with a genetic disorder like Williams Syndrome which clinically would make them retarded? Let's find out internet!
Picking on someone that is weak, helpless, broken, powerless, non-violent to their core, a Christian, and has Williams Syndrome, doesn't make you cool.
It makes you a BULLY!
And bullying is wrong.
Even The Royal has this out front:
Respect. Everyone deserves it.
The Royal is a place of respect for patients/clients, staff and visitors. Bullying or any threat of violence will not be tolerated.
Other symptoms I have of Williams Syndrome:
Chronic ear infections and/or hearing loss.
Sleep dysregulation.
UTIs.
Soft Skin.
OCD traits.
Altered visual acuity.
Very sociable nature with a heightened awareness of emotion in others. For example, they may notice subtle changes in the mood of an adult, or cry tears of empathy when another child is reprimanded.
However, people with Williams syndrome often don’t process nuanced social cues.
They have an excellent expressive vocabulary. It is common for children with Williams syndrome to use somewhat unusual words and phrases.
Some children with Williams Syndrome have favourite topics that they want to talk about with limited awareness of social cues and appropriate turn taking skills.
Individuals with WS have a tendency to be anxious which can sometimes cause behavior problems. Behaviour problems tend to worsen around noise related activities such as fire drills, vacuum cleaners, ceiling fans, heating or plumbing systems, and school bells due to hyperacusis.
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