Thursday, June 16, 2011

Illinois Swimmer with Williams Syndrome Competing in World Special Olympics

June 16, 2011 (ELMHURST, Ill.) (WLS) -- On Friday, a local gold medal swimmer is heading to Greece to represent the U.S. in the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

She is the only swimmer from Illinois.

After 23 years of winning medals in different events, 37-year-old Jeanne Decarlo's dream has come true.

At Elmhurst's YMCA, Jeanne practices swimming as her coach and mom Sheri encourages her to swim faster.

Swimming has always been something Jeanne does well. She was born with Williams Syndrome.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Study Suggesting Connections Between Autism and Williams Syndrome Can be Downloaded free here

Neuron - Multiple Recurrent De Novo CNVs, Including Duplications of the 7q11.23 Williams Syndrome Region, Are Strongly Associated with Autism:

Williams Syndrome Teen Speaks Out Against Bullying

Click the title to watch the video.

Scientists find new genetic clues that may link Autism to Williams Syndrome

Scientists find new genetic clues to autism - The Checkup - The Washington Post:

"The third analysis, led by by Matthew State of Yale and colleagues, group found an association between mutations and autism that, when deleted, also play a role in Williams syndrome, a rare developmental disorder. People with that condition tend to be highly social, sensitive and empathetic. In contrast, people with autism have difficulty interpreting social cues and interacting with others.

“This relatively small genomic interval clearly holds important clues to understanding the social brain,” State said in a statement.

But given the large number of genetic variations that the analyses have identified, the findings indicate that the condition is extremely complicated, the researcher said.

“The diversity implies that a treatment for one form of autism may have no value for the majority,” Wigler said."

ABC News runs a couple of pieces on Williams Syndrome