Social Competence in Persons with Prader-Willi, Williams and Down's Syndromes

Background This study explores everyday social competence in the lives of persons with three genetic intellectual disability syndromes. Methods Using parent reports on the Social and Activity Competence domains of Achenbach’s Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), socially competent behaviours were examined in 58 persons with Williams syndrome, 54 persons with Prader-Willi syndrome, and 65 persons with Down’s syndrome. Results The Down’s syndrome group showed the highest overall social competence scores, while individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome fared worst in terms of their behaviour with others. The Williams syndrome group scored lowest in terms of skill with jobs and chores, and the Down’s syndrome group showed the least skill in non-sport activities. Regarding specific activities, musical activities were popular in both Williams syndrome and Down’s syndrome, but more participants with Williams syndrome played musical instruments. Compared with the other groups, individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome were five to 25 times more likely to play with jigsaw puzzles, and those with Williams syndrome were least likely to engage in any visual–spatial leisure activities. Age was found to be a positive correlate of social competence for the Williams and Down’s syndrome groups, but not for the Prader-Willi group. Conclusions Implications are discussed for interventions and for future behavioural phenotype work.