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Exploring the prevalence and phenomenology of repetitive behaviours and abnormal sensory processing in children with W illiams S yndrome
Author(s) -
Janes E.,
Riby D. M.,
Rodgers J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of intellectual disability research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1365-2788
pISSN - 0964-2633
DOI - 10.1111/jir.12086
Subject(s) - sensory processing , sensory system , psychology , audiology , proprioception , developmental psychology , vestibular system , medicine , neuroscience
Background A small amount of research with individuals who have W illiams S yndrome ( WS ) suggests that children with the condition may be vulnerable to sensory processing abnormalities and present with repetitive and restricted behaviours. Methods Parents of 21 children with WS aged 6–15 years completed a semi‐structured interview designed to elicit the form, frequency, impact and developmental course of a range of sensory processing abnormalities and repetitive behaviours. Results Findings indicate that sensory processing difficulties are predominantly characterised by hypersensitivities, particularly in relation to vestibular, auditory, gustatory and proprioceptive functioning. Parents also reported the presence of a range of restricted and repetitive behaviours, which were often associated with their child's sensory symptoms. Conclusions This study makes a significant contribution to our understanding of sensory functioning and repetitive behaviours in WS . It also highlights the need for a multidisciplinary assessment of the difficulties experienced by children with the disorder.