SYNDROME SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS IN WILLIAMS-SYNDROME - TO WHAT EXTENT DO EARLY BEHAVIORAL-PATTERNS PERSIST INTO ADULT LIFE

In this article we review the evidence for a 'syndrome specific' patte rn of problems and behaviours related to Williams syndrome. Although t here have been many studies of children with this condition, data on a dults are limited. The article summarises available information on pat terns of functioning in children and examines the extent to which thes e characteristics persist into adulthood. Although some changes do occ ur over time, data from recent studies seem increasingly to support th e existence of a distinctive behavioural pattern, that is typical of b oth adults and children.