Nisonger Center, UCEDD, hosts regional Williams Syndrome Weekend

January 26, 2015

The Nisonger Center Williams Syndrome Program hosted a Williams Syndrome Weekend on November 8-9 in Columbus, Ohio, attracting families from Ohio and adjoining states. The purpose of Williams Syndrome event is to bring families together to socialize and learn from each other. Close to 100 people gathered at Nisonger Center at the Ohio State University, where children participated in arts & crafts, music, games, and potluck dinner and adults visited and talked with OSU clinical and research staff.

Attendees ranged in age from infants to adults. Several activities around the city, including a sensory-friendly movie screening and a trip to the Center of Science & Industry, were available for families.

One highlight of the week end was meeting and playing with several therapy dogs who attended the meeting. LEND trainee Laurel Geist (MPH), who helped plan the event along with other Ohio State student volunteers, and program director Dr. Marilee Martens, commented that families appreciate the opportunity to get together in an informal setting to have fun and socialize with old friends and to make new friends as well.

The gathering also offered families an opportunity to participate in a variety of clinical research projects sponsored by OSU researchers, including language-based research, eye-tracking studies, and fMRI.

The next Nisonger Williams syndrome event is planned for spring of 2015.

For more information about the Nisonger Center Williams Syndrome program or current research studies, please visit: http://nisonger.osu.edu/williams.