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absence seizures

Tue, 05/10/2005 - 21:46
my 3-year-old son has autism and recently had an EEG that came back abnormal showing spiking in the right temporal region. He has had episodes of "staring spells" which are consistent with absence or petit mal seizures. One neurologist suggested doing nothing. I am concerned about his progress. Has anyone else had any kind experience like this? Any information or advice is greatly appreciated

Comments

RE: RE: absence seizures

Submitted by drewsie on Wed, 2005-07-27 - 12:16
My little brother has autism. When he was younger, he had staring spells. He would stare off at nothing and wouldn't answer to his name or anything. They were associated with the autism, though. It was never suggested that he might have epilepsy. Are any of the staring spells associated with autism, or are they all epilespy? just curious.

RE: absence seizures

Submitted by mexican_fire on Wed, 2005-07-27 - 13:27

HI,

I don't know if there has been adiscussion of Right Temporal Lobe seizures yet.

They can mimic Absence or vise versa.  However, the pattern, that you said was told to you is NOT indicative of Absence epilepsy, it more than likely suggests Temporal lobe activity.  Spiking in either lobe is how they come up with a diagnosis of TLE.  They need to have a particular, and undeniable pattern of 3 per second-spike-and-and-waves, and that is the only [pattern seen for Absence seizures.

I would have him look into this again, becuase both seizure types require very different treatment, even in young toddlers like him.  TLE starts out as early as his age.

Nancy

HI,

I don't know if there has been adiscussion of Right Temporal Lobe seizures yet.

They can mimic Absence or vise versa.  However, the pattern, that you said was told to you is NOT indicative of Absence epilepsy, it more than likely suggests Temporal lobe activity.  Spiking in either lobe is how they come up with a diagnosis of TLE.  They need to have a particular, and undeniable pattern of 3 per second-spike-and-and-waves, and that is the only [pattern seen for Absence seizures.

I would have him look into this again, becuase both seizure types require very different treatment, even in young toddlers like him.  TLE starts out as early as his age.

Nancy

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