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Updated: Oct 13, 2026

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Motor Characteristics of Early Walking in Children With Williams Syndrome

Gloria K Yoshkova1, Joanna Moss1, Emily K Farran1

  • 1School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.

Perceptual and Motor Skills
|April 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Children with Williams Syndrome (WS) walk later but with similar overall quality compared to neurotypical peers, showing subtle motor differences. Early walking analysis in WS reveals atypical strategies, informing interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Motor Control

Background:

  • Motor difficulties are characteristic of Williams Syndrome (WS).
  • Limited research exists on early walking quality in children with WS.
  • Understanding early motor development in WS is crucial for interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the motor characteristics of first unsupported walking in toddlers with WS and neurotypical (NT) peers.
  • To analyze gait quality and symmetry in young children with WS.
  • To identify subtle motor strategies associated with early walking in WS.

Main Methods:

  • Observational, between-subjects design comparing 20 children with WS to 24 NT children.
  • Analysis of home videos using the Walking Observation Scale (WOS) for gait quality.
  • Assessment of gait symmetry using the Positional Pattern for Symmetry during Walking (PPSW).

Main Results:

  • Children with WS had a significantly later age of independent walking onset.
  • No significant differences in overall gait quality were found between groups.
  • WS children exhibited marginally more out-toeing and greater gait symmetry (though not age-adjusted).

Conclusions:

  • Walking onset is delayed in WS, but gait quality is not substantially different.
  • Subtle atypical motor strategies characterize early walking in WS.
  • Fine-grained analysis of early motor development is essential for understanding WS and informing interventions.

Keywords:
child motor developmentgaitintellectual disabilitymotor milestonesneurodevelopmental conditionsphysical development and measurementwalking

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