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Seizures connected with behavior issues?
Mon, 01/09/2006 - 18:17Topic: Parents & Caregivers
Hi,
I'm new here and still working with a preliminary diagnosis for my 6yo son. His neurologist says he's having complex partial seizures and we're scheduled for an EEG tomorrow, and an MRI at a future time pending clearance from the insurance co. No meds yet.
My son has is extremely bright and verbal, and he's doing great academically in school. But his behavior can be really difficult. He has poor impulse control, has trouble keeping quiet, and can be rather oppositional (in a cheerful-but-very-annoying way...he never has tantrums and he's doesn't get angry easily). He does not seem to have ADD symptoms. He's been sent to the principal's office a couple of times, and he's only in Kindergarten!
The thing that I find really chilling is that his K teacher said to me, "I find that the Ben I get in the morning is the Ben I'm going to have all day." as if to say some days he's in control, and some days he's not! I've observed this too -- it's as if some days he just can't keep himself together no matter what! I can tell you that some of his worst behaved days have also been days he's had seizures.
I don't want to make excuses for his behavior, but before I bring it up with his neurologist, I'm wondering if anyone has any insight on whether a connection exists?
Comments
Hi Chip, Gosh, I can feel
Submitted by txrhb1 on Wed, 2006-01-11 - 15:19
Hi Chip,
Gosh, I can feel for you and what your family is going through. Dealing with a school system that does not seem to work well with families of challenged children is very, very difficult. I have a daughter who is 22 with epilepsy, and a 24 year old son who had other issues in school. What saved us was a child psychologist that we worked with, who became a professional advocate for our children in the school systems. Both of the kids saw her on a regular basis, and when we held meetings at the schools (ARD's), she would attend and advocate for better individual educational plans for our children. She knew the school system inside and out, knew the childrens' rights, and knew the struggles that both the school and the family were dealing with. With her help, we were able to find a workable solution for all parties.
Each and every child is entitled to a quality education, and the school must do all possible to provide such. If there is any way you can find some sort of advocate for your child, besides yourselves, it worked wonders for us.
Also, make sure you understand the IEP process, as pubished by the US Department of Education. it's located at http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html
I wish I had some easy answers for you, but I do have hope, and I send you my prayers and blessings,
Best wishes,
Barbie
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"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other." -lucian de crescenzo
Re: Hi Chip, Gosh, I can feel
Submitted by dad43PA on Thu, 2006-01-12 - 07:56
Barbie,
Thanks for the website. We are looking into changing his meds and also getting his advocate involved to get the school to provide better solutions for his education. It is very frustrating dealing with the demands of a special needs child and have to fight the school for any help.
thanks again,
Chip
Re: Re: Re: Seizures connected with behavior issues?
Submitted by dad43PA on Wed, 2006-01-11 - 11:42
Jen, Our son is in public school. He is in a regular 1st grade classroom, but gets pulled out for speech and occupational therapy. He also spends a lot of time with the special ed teacher. His developmental delays cause him to be behind in his school work. The special ed teacher has a hard time getting him to complete his work so it is sent home for us to struggle with him to try to get it done. We get a behavior report sent home from school each day. Usually the report says that he swore or hit another student or tore up his papers. I think that the pressure to do work that he has trouble mastering causes more frustration and more bad behaviors. He gets lunch detention almost every day and we try to discipline him at home, but nothing phases him. It seems as if it is something that he has no control over. The school doesn't understand that and we are wore out at home as well. Chip