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Williams syndrome and deficiency in visuospatial recognition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2001

Miho Nakamura
Affiliation:
Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Centre, Aichi, Japan.
Kazuyoshi Watanabe
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Akiko Matsumoto
Affiliation:
Central Hospital, Aichi Human Service Centre, Aichi, Japan.
Tsutomu Yamanaka
Affiliation:
Central Hospital, Aichi Human Service Centre, Aichi, Japan.
Toshiyuki Kumagai
Affiliation:
Central Hospital, Aichi Human Service Centre, Aichi, Japan.
Shuji Miyazaki
Affiliation:
Residential Facility for Children with Mental and Physical Disabilities, Aichi Human Service Centre, Aichi, Japan.
Masaki Matsushima
Affiliation:
Unit of Paediatric Cardiology, Chyukyo Hospital, Japan.
Katsumi Mita
Affiliation:
Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Human Service Centre, Aichi, Japan.
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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the visuospatial abilities of five children with Williams syndrome (four males aged 9 years 3 months, 7 years 11 months, 8 years 1 month, and 10 years 8 months respectively, and one female aged 6 years 3 months). First, the children's visuospatial abilities were examined by asking them to copy a figure. Second, their cognitive processing abilities were assessed using the Japanese Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. This test was used because it is an objective one, standardized in Japan, and is a measure of fluid ability including spatial localization. Participants scored significantly low on the spatial memory subtest indicating that there was a deficit in spatial localization. Children's performance in line copying tasks improved when the dots were in colour. Results suggest a deficit in the dorsal stream of visual cognition, with a relatively preserved ventral stream.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© 2001 Mac Keith Press

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