Williams Syndrome

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The BBC recently did a story about people with Williams Syndrome(1). They describe it as the "opposite of autism" with people affected by low IQ, being very talkative, and naive to the point of it being detrimental to them. What are your thoughts on this story? I think framing it as the "opposite" of autism is insulting. Both for people on the spectrum, and those afflicted with WS. What say you?

1 http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26888280

I agree.
And I also think it is stupid. No condition can be defined as the opposite of another condition IMO.
Also look at the psychological features part.

How is that the opposite of autism? And other symptoms match some of autism as well.

My impression was that they meant it was opposite autism in the specific sense that people with WS have a social drive that is stronger than that of NT's. They are trying to frame it in a way that most people will understand. I would be pissed off at over articles that compare ASD to ASPD in relation to a mass murderer story, but in my opinion, this is pretty benign and nothing to get upset over.

I had never heard of this disorder before, so I'm glad they ran the article!

The "opposite of autism" description is clearly flawed.

Here's a comparison of the two conditions from a study I found.

^ I've read quite a few articles etc. which make this contrast, so wouldn't find it surprising if in this case they were also referring specifically to social drive/other social aspects of the conditions. I don't find it insulting, but a bit frustrating as it's a bit of an oversimplification, which don't think explains things as fully as they could be.

I've copied this from the FAQ page on the Williams Syndrome Foundation website:

I agree with what Rascals77, The_Walrus and Lookinglost said. It's an oversimplified contrast, especially if there are cross-over behaviors.

A bit off topic... Thanks for reminding me how excellent that song is with your signature. I'm listening to it now.

Yes, I'm going to say this is insulting to both people on the Autism-Asperger's Spectrum, as well as people on the Williams Spectrum (my terminology!)

I am empathetic. For example, I participated with anti-war groups back during the first Gulf War in 1991, because I thought it was an unnecessary war, and people were at risk of death and injury who didn't need to be.

So, maybe I have a more intellectual type of empathy, although I do feel for people in the here and now.

And sometimes I also like intense interaction with people, but . . . then I've had my fill and need my alone time.

Why would WS being the opposite of autism be insulting?

It's an oversimplification, but it's not saying anything bad. Just that WS people are highly social and autistics are not very social.

Oh, you're welcome, I guess. Thanks for saying, it's one of my favourites.
(also sorry to others for being off topic)

I've seen a show about William's Syndrome on TV before and it seemed that they think it's wonderful that people with it are so social and friendly and that if everyone had it the world would be a much better place, even though they have all kinds of health problems, don't usually live past their 50's, and are too friendly in a world that is often anything but. I get it, Aspies are dark, creepy loners who are better off dead but people with Will's are just wonderful.

We are often plenty social enough. It's like we have a different set of skills, which should be respected.

Now, that sounds very similar to the Autism Spectrum.

Why would WS people being wonderful have to mean anything against AS people? Can't we both be wonderful?

And I think the life expectancy for WS is longer than that.

I know a woman who I think may have William's Syndrome. I can't say for sure though, but other people who know her say she is ''thick as s**t'' (yes, that is a bit harsh but that's what one of them said), and also ''there is something not right about her''. Even I found her quite interesting to talk to, like there was some odd ways about her, some I could relate to as an Aspie. At first I thought she might be on the Autism spectrum, but then I found she seems extremely talkative. I know people on the spectrum can be very talkative, but she seems to go beyond the Aspie extrovert mark. She also attracts a lot of people, and everywhere she goes she makes a friend and has to be talking away to somebody, even though to me (and a lot of other people) she is ''socially hard work''.

She tends to get stressed about things most people wouldn't get at all stressed about - which I can relate to her there.

She argues with a lot of people, even if she doesn't know them that well. (She has argued with me before, and I'm not even the sort to argue with people beyond close relatives).

She seems to have low muscle tone in her lower lip, and she also talks very slowly and has an unusual type of accent what is hard to explain without hearing it.

Again it might not be William's Syndrome, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was. She seems to have some sort of disorder anyway. The only confusion is, she has 4 children and about 5 or 6 grandchildren, and as far as I know they all seem OK. Maybe not every person with a disorder passes it on to their kids.

I do not see it the opposite of Autism. I did not read the article referred to, but I have read quite a bit on WIlliams syndrome, mostly because I saw so many SHARED traits. Empathy for instance. Like those with Williams syndrome we tend towards extreme empathy. they do not actually have more empathy, but less inhibitions as far as rejection goes. They also tend to sensory issues and to stimming. Naivete is another shared trait.

As an extroverted [sometimes] Autistic, I also crave human contact. I also need to be alone to regroup like other autistics. I have not read anything about Williams people needing to do that, but I have noticed that they often look extremely tired,even with their perky little elfin faces. I wonder if they too need time alone but are not [or the "experts" are not] aware of that.

I know that we autistics are much more likely to be depressed. I think that so much of that has to do with all of the traumatic crap and dissapointments most of us have endured.

My sisters' niece has Williams Syndrome. She is sweet, polite, maybe winsome would be the word. Debbie [my good sister] says that now that her niece is no longer so young and cute,that some people are less enamored by her adorableness. She said that her niece picks that up and it DOES bother her and that she cries about it ...often.