Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)
What Is Prader-Willi Syndrome?
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by the loss of function of specific genes on chromosome 15. It affects many areas of a child’s growth and development, including muscle strength, feeding, learning, behavior, metabolism, and hormone production.
PWS occurs in approximately 1 in every 10,000 to 30,000 births and affects boys and girls equally across all races and ethnicities.
Children with PWS often have very different challenges depending on their age. Babies commonly struggle with poor muscle tone and feeding, while older children often develop an overwhelming feeling of hunger (hyperphagia) that can lead to obesity if not carefully managed.
Although there is currently no cure, early intervention therapies can significantly improve a child’s development, independence, communication, and quality of life.
Pediatric Down Syndrome Signs & Symptoms
Physical Symptoms
Infants (Birth–12 Months)
- Severe low muscle tone (hypotonia)
- Poor feeding or difficulty sucking
- Weak cry
- Sleepiness or excessive sleeping
- Failure to gain weight
- Delayed motor milestones
- Poor head control
- Weak reflexes
Toddlers & Older Children:
- Short stature
- Small hands and feet
- Increased body fat
- Reduced muscle mass
- Delayed walking
- Poor balance and coordination
- Low endurance
- Delayed puberty
- Hormone deficiencies
- Curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- Vision problems such as crossed eyes
Feeding & Nutrition Symptoms
One of the hallmark signs of PWS is a dramatic change in eating patterns.
Early Life
- Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding
- Poor weight gain
- Feeding fatigue
Later Childhood
- Constant hunger
- Never feeling full
- Food seeking behaviors
- Sneaking or hiding food
- Eating rapidly
- Difficulty controlling portions
- Obesity without strict supervision
Developmental & Cognitive Symptoms
Children with PWS commonly experience developmental delays.
Signs may include:
- Delayed crawling
- Delayed walking
- Delayed speech
- Language delays
- Learning disabilities
- Mild to moderate intellectual disability
- Difficulty with problem-solving
- Poor memory
- Slow processing speed
- Difficulty understanding social situations
Speech & Communication Signs
Many children have challenges with speech because of low muscle tone and oral motor weakness.
Signs include:
- Delayed first words
- Difficult-to-understand speech
- Weak oral muscles
- Low speech volume
- Limited vocabulary
- Trouble expressing wants and needs
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Feeding challenges
Occupational Therapy (OT) Signs
Children with PWS frequently struggle with everyday functional skills.
Signs include:
- Poor fine motor skills
- Weak hand strength
- Difficulty using scissors
- Delayed handwriting
- Trouble manipulating buttons or zippers
- Difficulty dressing independently
- Delayed self-care skills
- Sensory processing challenges
- Poor body awareness
- Low muscle endurance
Physical Therapy (PT) Signs
Motor delays are extremely common.
Children may have:
- Delayed sitting
- Delayed crawling
- Delayed walking
- Weak muscles
- Poor posture
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Balance problems
- Frequent falls
- Poor coordination
- Difficulty running and jumping
Behavioral & Mental Health Symptoms
Behavioral differences often become more noticeable as children grow.
Children may experience:
- Anxiety
- Obsessive thoughts
- Rigid routines
- Emotional outbursts
- Temper tantrums
- Stubbornness
- Skin picking
- Difficulty with transitions
- Compulsive behaviors
- Social challenges
- Depression
- Difficulty regulating emotions
How Therapy Smarts Supports Children with Prader-Willi syndrome?
At Therapy Smarts, we believe every child deserves individualized, compassionate care. Our multidisciplinary team works together to help children with Prader-Willi Syndrome build strength, independence, communication, emotional regulation, and confidence.
Our pediatric physical therapists can help improve:
- Muscle strength
- Core stability
- Balance
- Walking skills
- Gross motor development
- Endurance
- Posture
- Coordination
- Running and jumping
- Participation in playground and community activities
Our occupational therapists focus on helping children become more independent with everyday tasks by improving:
- Fine motor development
- Hand strength
- Dressing skills
- Feeding skills
- Sensory processing
- Self-care routines
- Visual motor skills
- Handwriting
- Body awareness
- Daily living skills (ADLs)
Speech-language pathologists support children by improving:
- Speech clarity
- Language development
- Oral motor strength
- Feeding and swallowing skills
- Communication strategies
- Social communication
- Expressive language
- Receptive language
- Voice quality
- Safe eating skills
Many children with PWS benefit from specialized feeding therapy, especially during infancy and early childhood.
Therapy may address:
- Poor sucking
- Bottle or breastfeeding challenges
- Chewing skills
- Swallowing safety
- Oral motor coordination
- Food texture progression
- Healthy mealtime routines
- Parent education and coaching
Living with PWS can present emotional and behavioral challenges for both children and families.
Our licensed mental health therapists can help children:
- Manage anxiety
- Improve emotional regulation
- Develop coping skills
- Build self-esteem
- Improve flexibility with routines
- Navigate social situations
- Reduce challenging behaviors
- Support family relationships
Our psychologists can provide comprehensive evaluations to better understand your child’s:
- Cognitive strengths and challenges
- Learning profile
- Attention and executive functioning
- Behavioral concerns
- Emotional functioning
- Diagnostic needs
- Recommendations for school and therapy supports
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.
Ready to Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential?
At Therapy Smarts, we don’t believe in a “wait and see” approach. We believe in early, expert intervention that gives your child the tools they need to thrive. Whether you are looking for specialized Down Syndrome support or a comprehensive developmental evaluation, our award-winning team in Durham and Chapel Hill is ready to partner with your family.
Two Easy Ways to Begin:
Contact Us Directly: Ready to schedule? Call us at 919-378-1340.
Fill out our Online Inquiry Form to speak with a member of our intake team.
Don’t navigate this journey alone—let’s unlock your child’s possibilities together