Do you remember when your loved one with Williams syndrome was first diagnosed? Whether the diagnosis was recent, or many years ago, I’m sure the details are still as sharp as they were that day.
WSA Blog
Nov 15 2021 | 
Terry Monkaba
Terry MonkabaDo you remember when your loved one with Williams syndrome was first diagnosed? Whether the diagnosis was recent, or many years ago, I’m sure the details are still as sharp as they were that day.
Sep 14 2021 | WSA Staff
The learner with Williams syndrome (WS) can be both the biggest joy and the biggest challenge for the educators charged with their instruction. Students with Williams syndrome are often caring, engaging, and excited learners.
Sep 03 2021 | WSA Staff
Did you know that many funding sources are available for families who would like to attend educational conventions and conferences such as ours in Schaumburg, Illinois from July 12-16, 2022? Have you been wondering where/how to start? Now is the time to start planning!
Jul 26 2021 | Terry Monkaba
Terry MonkabaThirty-one years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. The ADA was designed to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities – including in education, transportation, and employment. People first started noticing the effects of the law with physical changes – curb cuts, handicap ramps on busses, accessible buildings, etc. In the years since, much more has been done to promote inclusion.
Jul 06 2021 | Terry Monkaba
Terry MonkabaMost of us are familiar with the theory of ‘six degrees of separation’ – maybe you saw the play or movie of the same name starring Will Smith, or watched the new Discovery Series on the topic with Mike Rowe, or perhaps you’ve played the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game. It’s the idea that all people, on average, are six, or fewer, social connections away from each other.
Jun 04 2021 | Terry Monkaba
Terry Monkaba
Cyndra Cole
Mar 18 2021 | WSA Staff
The WSA lost a very special friend and volunteer this month with the passing of Barbara Scheiber. Barbara and her husband Walter first found the WSA in 1994, when they watched the 60 Minutes special on Williams syndrome, and realized that their 36-year-old son, Robert, had nearly every characteristic mentioned.
Mar 09 2021 | Terry Monkaba
Terry MonkabaThe diagnosis of Williams syndrome presents challenges for every individual and his or her family. Williams syndrome is a spectrum disorder. There is a great deal of variability in individuals throughout the spectrum. Medical concerns and learning challenges, emotional issues, and anxiety are common and can be all-consuming at times. The severity of the challenges varies and can ebb and flow over the years.
Jan 26 2021 | Terry Monkaba
Terry Monkaba
Following a year like 2020, and thinking about all that happened, I am thrilled that the words that come to mind as I think specifically about the WSA are: grateful, humbled, appreciative, and so importantly, proud and excited.
Nov 18 2020 | Terry Monkaba
Terry Monkaba2020 for the WSA began much like we had hoped – with celebrations of an excellent 2019 which had seen program and income growth, research advances, and a remarkable gift providing the WSA with the funding needed to create a clinical consortium for Williams syndrome.
Sep 26 2020 | 
Robin Pegg, MEd, COTA/L, ATP
Robin Pegg, MEd, COTA/L, ATPCOVID-19 has dramatically changed the landscape of school in general and special education in particular. Schools may be face-to-face, hybrid, virtual, or some combination of all of those things. IEP meetings are conducted over zoom and service provision for therapies and social work has completely changed.