COGNITIVE-FUNCTIONING IN ADULTS WITH WILLIAMS-SYNDROME

This paper reports the results of cognitive, linguistic, and academic assessments in a representative sample of 62 adults with Williams synd rome. The average age of the group was 26 years and their mean full sc ale IQ was 61. Differences between Verbal and Performance IQ, and betw een receptive and expressive language skills, were smaller than genera lly found in studies of children with this condition. However, an exam ination of subtest scores revealed an almost identical cognitive profi le to that found in children. Skills in other areas, such as reading, spelling, arithmetic, and social adaptation remained at a low level, w ith functioning generally being around a 6-8-year age equivalent. The consistency of reports on intellectual abilities in both child and adu lt studies of individuals with Williams syndrome lends increased suppo rt to the notion of a syndrome specific pattern of cognitive, linguist ic, and adaptive functioning.