Journal

The Japanese journal of neuropsychology

[Vol.24 No.1 contents]
Japanese/English

Full Text of this Article
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ArticleTitle The Cognitive Neuropsychology of Williams syndrome: Development of drawing skills and communication
Language J
AuthorList Chiyoko Nagai
Affiliation JST ERATO Asada Synergistic Intelligence Project
Publication Japanese Journal of Neuropsychology: 24 (1), 48-60, 2008
Received
Accepted
Abstract Williams syndrome is a developmental disorder which has been characterized by severely impaired visuo-spaital abilities and well preserved communication abilities (i.e. verbal function and facial recognition). However, recent studies indicate that both functions are not normal, but rather deviant, sometimes inducing hypersociability or phobia as a communication disorder. To investigate what impede a successful drawing and to clarify the relationship between drawing disabilities and communication disorder, we implemented three copying/tracing tasks under several conditions. As a result, individuals with Williams syndrome exhibited limited visuo-spatial working memory, specifically narrowed visual indexing, and high propensity to use ego-centric representation as a referential frame, which may cause unbalanced self-other relationship in this population.
Keywords Williams syndrome, development of drawing, copying, reference frame, communication

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