Auditory Processing Disorder

More than 90 percent of individuals with WAGR syndrome have Auditory Processing Disorder (APD).

APD affects the way the brain receives, organizes, and processes sound. Children and adults with APD usually have normal hearing. But they cannot process the information they hear in the same way as others do. This leads to difficulty recognizing and interpreting sounds, especially sounds involved with speech.

APD may be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild to moderate APD may result in problems following directions or understanding conversation in a noisy environment, such as a classroom or restaurant. Severe APD may interfere with understanding or developing speech. 

Early diagnosis and treatment of APD can make a big difference in a child's behavior and ability to communicate and learn.

Sensory Processing Disorder

Some individuals with WAGR syndrome have a condition called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). People with SPD sometimes exhibit extreme responses to sights, sounds, or physical sensations. These responses include screaming, tantruming or "meltdowns," withdrawal or "shutting down," or aggression towards themselves or others. When SPD is present, treatment may help these individuals to become calmer and learn to regulate their response to their environment.

Learn more about assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder:  

• Anxiety Disorder involves persisent or excessive feelings of worry, anxiety or fear. Symptoms include stress that is out of proportion to an event, inability to set aside worry, and restlessness
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) involves difficulty paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, or being overly active
• Autism While some children with WAGR syndrome are diagnosed with Autism, many have autistic-like behaviors that are the result of Intellectual Disability, Vision Impairment, Sensory Processing Disorder, Auditory Processing Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, or some combination of these.

Accurate diagnosis is important to prescribing a treatment plan that effectively addresses the child's needs

• Depression involves persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities. Symptoms may include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration or self-esteem
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder involves excessive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Symptoms may include the need to repeat words or phrases or to arrange objects in a specific manner
• Tantrums and "meltdowns" are intense responses to overwhelming situations or emotions. Chronic tantrums and meltdowns are very common in WAGR syndrome, and may have many different causes--from an inability to communicate, to Sensory Processing Disorder, to physical illness or pain. Effective treatment relies on pinpointing the cause but can make a dramatic difference in quality of life for the individual and their family

The Challenging Behaviors Toolkit is a comprehensive guide to strategies and resources to address these behaviors. This Toolkit was originally developed for children with autism, but it can be very effective for people with WAGR syndrome as well.

In some cases, medication may be suggested for the treatment of challenging behavior. 

While many children may benefit from medication, families often struggle with making this decision.

This "Medication Decision Aid" was designed to help parents clarify their values and goals, and make it easier to talk with your doctor about whether medication is right for your child.