Williams Syndrome Articles

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Heart to Heart is published 3 to 4 times each year by the WSA. It contains the latest information on medical treatments and educational strategies written by professionals working with individuals with Williams syndrome and other specialists.  It also contains updates on the activities and programs of the WSA, and entries written by parents and individuals with Williams syndrome.

Reprints of the following articles, previously published in Heart to Heart are available from the WSA and can be ordered using our printed order form, or through the eStore.

If using the printed order form, please print this page and circle the articles you are ordering.

Article list

MEDICAL GENETICS/RESEARCH

EDUCATION

MUSIC EDUCATION

INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN EDUCATION

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

TEENS AND ADULTS

RELEVANT TO ALL AGES

Research Notes from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience 

by: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1997 Vol. 14 #3 
Summary: An update of research at the Salk Institute, including studies of brain imaging, WS database and musical abilities in individuals with Williams syndrome.

Latest information on the WS critical area 

Drs. Barbara Pober and Lucy Osborne discuss the latest research developments in regard to the WS Critical area on chromosome #7

Genetics and Williams syndrome 

by: Kay Metcalf 
Heart to Heart issue: May 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: Basic review of human genetics and explanation of genetic deletion in WS

The Preanesthetic Assessment of the Individual with Williams syndrome

by: Dr. Lynn White 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1998 Vol. 15 #3 
Summary: Written by the parent of a child with WS who is also an anesthesiologist. Guidelines for assessment of individuals with WS prior to undergoing anesthesia.

Education Tips 

by: Nancy Grejtak 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1997 Vol. 14 #3 
Summary: Tips and resources to aid in handwriting and reading mastery for students with WS.

How to Develop an IEP that Works 

by: Maria Kerber 
Heart to Heart issue: May 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: Questions to consider in developing an IEP.

The Parents Role in Developing the IEP 

by: Ronald Hager, Neighborhood Legal Services 
Heart to Heart issue: May 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: An outline of a parent's role and rights in the development of their child's IEP.

Special Education- Nine Rules of Thumb 

by: Robert Crabtree 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1998 Vol. 15 #3 
Summary: Reprinted from Newsline: The Federation for Children with Special Needs A nine step guide for parents to advocate successfully for their special needs children in order to obtain educational and related services.

Research Update: Musical Abilities in Individuals with Williams syndrome 

by: Daniel Levitan and Ursula Bellugi 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1997 Vol. 14 #3 
Summary: A preliminary study of individuals with WS and musical ability, carried out at the Belvoir Terrace Music Camp in August, 1996

Floor Time: Intervention for Young Children with PDD: The Approach of Greenspan, NM and Serena Weider, Ph,D. 

by: Karen Levine Ph.D. and Rob Wharton MD. 
Heart to Heart issue: May 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: An overview of Dr. Greenspan's intensive approach to intervention. The authors have used "Floor Time" successfully with autistic children and are now using it in their work with children who have WS.

Learned Helplessness and School Failure 

by: Robert and Myrna Gordon 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1997 Vol. 14 #3 
Summary: An explanation of learned failure as well as strategies to avoid this pitfall.

Record Keeping: A Sub-Specialty in Parenting Children with Special Needs 

by: Maria Kerber and Julie Siebold, Parent Network, Buffalo, NY 
Heart to Heart issue: May 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: Outlines tips on organizing school related paperwork effectively.

Social Skills Development 

by: Kathryn Kerpestein 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1998 Vol. 15 #3 
Summary: A brief discussion of nonverbal communication and interpretation of nonverbal messages. Includes reference to a book on the subject "Helping the Chid Who Does Not Fit In" by Drs. Stephen Nowicki and Marshall P. Duke

Excess Weight: A Threat to Adults with WS 

by: Howard Lenhoff Ph.D. 
Heart to Heart issue: Dec. 1997 Vol. 14 #3 
Summary: Observations of weight-related issues in adults with WS and a chronicle of Howard's daughter Gloria and her impressive weight control regime.

Transition 

by: Jill Richards 
Heart to Heart issue: May, 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: Outlines the process of transitioning individuals from the school system to community based living.

The Sibling Supports Project 

by: Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center 
Heart to Heart issue: May 1998 Vol. 15 #1 
Summary: A description of the "Sib shop" program which is geared toward brothers and sisters of individuals (with special needs) and their issues.

Special Needs Trusts and Guardianship 

by: Theresa Varnet
WSA Regional Conference; Boston, MA 11/2009
Summary: An explanation of this unique form of trust for individuals with special needs. It allows for additional support without compromising eligibility for State or Federal aid, and provides life long funding support for independent living options and other programs.

Anxiety in Individuals with Williams syndrome; Model and Strategies

by: Karen Levine Ph.D., Robert H. Wharton, MD., and Sara Miranda LICSW 
Heart to Heart issue: Vol. 16 #1 March 1999 
Summary: Anxieties in individuals with WS and several interventions are outlined