Ecological tools to limit the spatial difficulties in genetic sindrome.

Introduction. Being able to explore the environment has many positive aspects: allows to interact with the elements within it and to increase the spatial abilities. In addition, the ability to move into permits to interact actively with others, increasing thus the socialization. This project was aimed to analyze by means of ecological tasks the spatial abilities and the explorative strategies in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and Williams syndrome (WS) in order to facilitate a therapeutic intervention that develops the spatial orientation, the motor activity and the socialization. Methods. We used radial maze task (RAM) and test of multiple rewards (TMR) that provide important information about the type of exploration carried out by individuals. In RAM task, the individuals have to find some rewards hidden inside containers placed in a fixed spatial configuration, while in TMR, the rewards are hidden in containers placed in various configurations. From RAM, it is possible to get information on aspects mainly linked to mnesic processes, such as short-and long-term memory, while from TMR on how specific contexts contribute to the construction of spatial maps and influence exploration strategies. Results. The preliminary results, compared with those of normal individuals matched for mental age and sex, showed a stronger exploratory deficits in individuals with WS. Although this basic difference, every individual evaluated explored the environment by using different strategies depending on the degree of development reached in spatial ability. Conclusion. These data suggest that it is necessary to plan specific and personalized interventions even within the same syndrome.