TIP of the WEEK: PWS Awareness Month

During the month of May we formally celebrate the extraordinary people in our lives that live with PWS. Use this month to spread awareness and highlight the struggles, accomplishments, and truly unique aspects of the people living every day with a syndrome that so few know about.

 Interesting Facts about PWS:

1.) People with PWS have very slow metabolisms and require far fewer calories each day than the typical person. Make each calorie count and avoid empty calories like sugary drinks and snacks.

2.) People with PWS often have poor balance. This is due to an under developed vestibular sense. Daily balance games and exercises will improve this over time.

3.) Many individuals with PWS enjoy working with animals because they are naturally nurturing. Supervision should be used due to a lack of impulse control, until you feel comfortable that the person can manage an animals unpredictable nature.

Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi Syndrome specialist. She works with Latham Centers’ residents with PWS, their families and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices.