Williams Syndrome Program
A new Multidisciplinary Williams Syndrome Clinic has opened in Columbus, Ohio. This Williams Syndrome Clinic is a joint effort of The Ohio State University’s Nisonger Center (a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The multidisciplinary clinic offers specialized evaluation and treatment for children and adolescents with Williams syndrome. The specialists involved include a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician, Behavioral Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Speech/Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Physical Therapist. Involvement with Genetics, Cardiology, and Audiology will be coordinated as necessary for each family. If you would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Sherry Feinstein at (614) 247-7190 or e-mail her at sherry.feinstein@osumc.edu. |
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Research Study Opportunities! Click here for more information.
Quick Links: Regional Conference || Conference for Health Professionals || Photo Gallery
Dr. Martens went to Braga, Portugal in November, 2008 and gave an invited guest lecture on her research involving amygdala volumes and hypersociability in individuals with Williams syndrome. She met with Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian researchers in Dr. Óscar Goncalves' Neuropsychophysiology Lab at the University of Minho. Ana Pinheiro, one of the Portuguese researchers, will be coming to Nisonger in May, 2009 to present a lecture and discuss potential research collaboration with Dr. Martens.
Williams Syndrome Fall Party 2008
On Saturday, Nov. 1st, 2008, approximately 45 people attended the Williams Syndrome Fall Party held at Ohio State University-Newark. In attendance was an adult with Williams syndrome who had never before been to an activity with others who had WS, so she had a wonderful time meeting new friends. The kids had fun dressing up in their Halloween costumes and many enjoyed trying to keep up with the teens and young adults as they danced the ‘Macarena’! A big thanks goes to Daniel Gutkoski and Matt Robison who are both LEND trainees at Nisonger. They were a huge help in planning and helping out at the party.
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Our next activity will be held in early April ’09. Watch for more information.
Williams Syndrome Regional Conference
The 2007 Williams Syndrome Great Lakes Regional Conference was held on Saturday, Sept. 29th, 2007 in Columbus at the Holiday Inn Ft. Rapids Waterpark Resort. We had a fantastic turnout, with over 200 people attending the conference! The children with WS and their siblings were looked after by 23 phenomenal childcare workers, most of whom are graduate students at Ohio State University. While the children were splashing in the waterpark and the adults with Williams syndrome were “chilling” in the lounge and gameroom, the parents were learning and sharing ideas with our incredibly knowledgeable guest speakers. The guest speakers included Dr. Carolyn Mervis, Dr. Colleen Morris and Dr. Paige Kaplan, who are all internationally recognized experts in Williams syndrome. We were also thrilled to have Dr. Annemarie Sommer, from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital (Columbus), join us on the WS panel. Additional expertise came from Dr. Tom Fish and Dr. Margo Izzo from the Nisonger Center, David Zwyer, Director of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, Michelle Self, Advocacy Specialist, Lisa Portune, Great Lakes Regional Chair, and Tonya Corso, Music Therapist. The topics included up-to-date information on guardianship, medical issues, genetics, developmental issues, gynecological concerns, sibling concerns, music therapy options, and education and transition supports. We were also very happy to have an update on the Williams Syndrome Association by Terry Monkaba, the Executive Director of the Association. Thanks to all who attended and enjoy the slideshow below!
If you would like more information, please contact Dr. Marilee Martens at (614) 688-3112 or e-mail her at martens.22@osu.edu.
Wililams Syndrome Medical Conference
Over 40 healthcare professionals attended the Williams Syndrome Medical Conference on Friday, Sept. 28th, 2007 at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. We were fortunate to have an outstanding panel of speakers, each internationally known in the field of Williams syndrome:
Genetics of Williams syndrome: Colleen A. Morris, M.D., Chief, Genetics Division, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nevada School of Medicine.
Medical Issues Associated with Williams syndrome: Paige Kaplan, M.D., Professor of Mitochondrial and Metabolic Diseases, Biochemical Genetics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Anxiety and Mental Health Issues in Individuals with Williams syndrome: Elisabeth M. Dykens, Ph.D., Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy University Center of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities, Professor, Psychology and Human, Development, Vanderbilt University.
Cognitive and Language Development in Children with Williams syndrome: Carolyn B. Mervis, Ph.D., Distinguished University Scholar, Professor, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville.
If you would like any more information regarding the Medical Conference, please contact Dr. Marilee Martens at martens.22@osu.edu or (614) 688-3112.
Williams Syndrome Photo Gallery
Make an online donation to The Williams Syndrome program at The Nisonger Center.