Children With Klinefelter Syndrome

Children with Klinefelter syndrome are very similar to other children their age. The most significant differences between children with Klinefelter syndrome and children without it are delays in language acquisition and development. Children with Klinefelter syndrome have the greatest difficulty with expressive language, which is the ability to put thoughts, ideas, and emotions into words.

 

An Overview of Children With Klinefelter Syndrome

Children with Klinefelter syndrome are not much different from other children their age. However, children with Klinefelter syndrome usually learn to walk later than most other children, and may have similar delays in learning to speak.
 
Language delays in children with Klinefelter syndrome are particularly important for parents to pay attention to. Klinefelter syndrome research has shown that seeking help early for language delays will greatly reduce any associated long-term effects.
 

Temperament of Children With Klinefelter Syndrome

Children with Klinefelter syndrome tend to start life as what many parents call "good babies" -- quiet, undemanding, and perhaps even a little passive. As toddlers, they may be somewhat shy and reserved. Throughout childhood -- perhaps, even, for the rest of their lives -- children with Klinefelter syndrome retain the same temperament and disposition they first displayed as infants and toddlers.
 
As a group, they tend to be shy, somewhat passive, and unlikely to take a leadership role. Although they do make friends with other children, they tend to have only a few friends at a time. Klinefelter research scientists also describe them as cooperative and eager to please.
 
(Children With Klinefelter Syndrome Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD