About Cri-du-Chat Syndrome | Recommended Links |
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Cri-du-Chat Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting around 1 in 50,000 children in the UK. Cri-du-Chat Syndrome is so-named as the crying of young babies is said to resemble the wail of a cat. The disorder stems from a deletion in chromosome 5 and is sometimes also known as 5p- Most children with CDCS have both physical and learning disabilites. Learning disabilities are generally moderate to severe in nature. Significant communication difficulties are usual, researchers have found receptive language skills advance more quickly than expressive skills. Though development of a normal level of speech is unlikely some individuals master a small number of phrases or words and the CDCS Support Group report that 2/3 of children are able to communicate functionally using Signing/SSE systems such as Makaton or Signalong. Where children are able to walk, gait is unsteady and balance and coordination problems are common. Fine-motor control problems are also usual. Although it has been suggested that behavioural problems are more common in CDCS children than the general population, they are not synonymous with the condition.
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