Russell-Silver Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Disability: A Case Study

Abstract

Russell-Silver Syndrome (RSS) is a rare genetic developmental disorder characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth delays and other physical abnormalities. Neuropsychological screening was completed with LP, a 20-year-old college male diagnosed at one year of age with Russell-Silver Syndrome. LP's history and test findings yielded a profile consistent with a nonverbal learning disability, with significantly higher verbal compared to nonverbal intelligence, deficient visual-spatial memory, fine motor coordination and motor planning problems, relatively greater difficulty in math compared to other achievement areas, decreased writing fluency, and social behavior impediments. LP also experienced attention and concentration problems along with a ruminative cognitive-emotional style and mild depression. His pattern of processing weaknesses indicated a need for academic accommodations to complete his college-level academic work, along with counseling to address emotional issues. Further studies of individuals with RSS should consider neuropsychological assessment to address patterns of cognitive processing and possible need for educational and psychosocial intervention.

Russel–Silver syndrome: A historical note and comment on an older adult

“…There are reports that include some information about adults with RSS in the literature [Price et al, ; Bliek et al, ; Plotts and Livermore, ; Ryan et al, ]; however, this is the oldest person reported to date.…”

Behavioural abnormalities in a novel mouse model for Silver Russell Syndrome

“…There are reports of hyperactivity, emotional problems, conduct problems as well as peer problems with similarities to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and social communication difficulties with akin to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Although some studies suggest that behavioural problems involving hyperactivity are relatively uncommon (2), one of the first descriptions of SRS reported hyperactivity (13) and one study has reported issues with maintaining attention (11). A more common behavioural observation in SRS centres on feeding issues.…”

Diagnostic Case Study of a Young Man with Russell-Silver Syndrome and Associated Comorbidities

“…Individuals with RSS do display poor sensory processing [1]. In terms of sensory issues, ML has shown some challenging problems with sensory avoidance (see Tables 5 and 6).…”

“…Russell-Silver Syndrome (RSS) is "a rare genetic developmental disorder characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth delays and other physical abnormalities" (p.124) [1]. It has been listed in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man® (OMIM®) [2] under the category number #180860 with a different name known as Silver-Russell Syndrome (SRS) and its alternative names include Russell-Silver Syndrome and Silver-Russell Dwarfism, whose cytogenetic location is 7p11.2 and genomic coordinates (GRCh38) at 7:53,900,000-58,100,000.…”