The linguistic and cognitive characteristics of infants with Williams-Beuren syndrome

Abstract

Williams-Beuren Syndrome (SWB) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the deletion of an area on chromo-some 7q11.23. It is a major cause of intellectual disability, with a specific linguistic and cognitive phenotype. This article presents the language characteristics of infants with SWB, with an emphasis on the skills and weaknesses of these children, and investigation of if and how these characteristics persist in adolescence. From review of current research and clinical findings, the cognitive characteristics of the syndrome are analyzed, with emphasis on the relationship between the language and cognitive profile. © Athens Medical Society.