Autism and Epilepsy

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Comment by Jennifer Taylor on September 30, 2012 at 12:41pm

My 15 yr old daughter has tonic-clonic seizures and was just diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome a few days ago. I'm still trying to process it all. 

Comment by Missi Wallace on September 28, 2012 at 4:10pm

We're still battling the system (and Medicaid)! J's neuro still asks me if he has "autism behaviors"! Well, duh, he has autism so he has autism behaviors. He stims, he has OCD spots, he has learning disabilities, he has speech problems, he's very SPD, he gets violent with anxiety. Autism is something you don't grow out of or get cured from (unless God grants you a miracle with a new brain wave pattern). High functioning PPD's/Aspies can learn to overcome many of their issues. But they still have the issues, just have learned to appear NT.

It's pretty common sense - if your brain is misfunctioning enough to have one disorder, it's probably going to have other disorders or issues. Epilepsy damages brain cells and changes neuron pathways, therefore it disrupts the normal ability to process logic in a normal way. It's just that each person is impacted in a different way, to a different level, depending on many factors.  I guess it all depends on what is causing the brains disruption in normal functioning.

Hope you all find the right help you need. HUGS

Comment by sandra acre on September 27, 2012 at 10:27pm

When my daughter (Now 19) had intractable Infantile Spasms we took her to Canada for a PET scan and a doctor who specialized in IS. He told us that over 90% of kids with IS also have Autism so get her evaluated. He told us one doesn't cause the other, but the underlying damage (wherever it is hidden) causes both. Indeed we got her evaluated and into an Early Intervention program, but the neurologists at our regular hospital did not seem to want to connect epilepsy and "behavior," which is how I think they viewed autism at the time. They were brain doctors, and as far as they were concerned the seizures had to stop and who cares what else you work on. Thank God for good social workers and second/third/fourth opinions!

Comment by Melissa Smith on May 31, 2012 at 12:30pm

It's strange how nobody in the public believes autism & epilepsy are related because not only can children born with autism have higher brain stimulation that puts them at risk for brain damage. Having Epilepsy will cause them to keep to them selves, people rarely talk to a person with seizures, & the same amount of discrimination and can cause epileptics to develope autistic symptoms over time. 

 

 Although the public is starting to pay closer attention to autism. It just isn't right that they ignore the need of epileptics.

Comment by Beth Baker on February 23, 2012 at 10:03pm

Hi Kathy,

I am sorry you've worked so hard and now are combating Epilepsy as well. If the Keppra isn't cutting it, there could be some other medication out there that could, don't give up! If your son does well with dietary changes, and medication does not work, the Ketogenic diet is an option.  Check out the website: charliefoundation.org  or there are links to it on my website through my blog: www.calebsmom.com  Best wishes to you and your family for answers and solutions.

Comment by maureen dolman on February 23, 2012 at 9:53pm

Hi Kathy-I have a 36 year old daughter who had her first tonic clonic seizure at age 32 and after drug interactions with Depakote and/or Zyprexa she ended up bedridden for almost a year and finally after a few hospitalizations she remains on dilantin and seroquel(she became very manic)she needed 24/7 care but did regain her ability to walk,feed herself,etc. but we parents had to make a very hard decision to place her in a carehome(excellent though). It is very scary when you have never used any meds like us all through their lives and then those tonic clonic seizures start. I pray you get some help,answers,but just keep loving your son and know you will just keep doing  your best,sincerely Maureen

Comment by Kathy Harrell on February 23, 2012 at 8:42pm

Hello

I have a 16 year old son who has recovered from Autism all thru diet and supplements along with therapy.  Last August he had a grand mal seizure out of no where and is diagnosed with Epilespy.  I have been working with him since the age of 2 to get him healed from Autism and now this.  He has grand mal seizure and takes 4000 mg. of keppra a day.  He still has been having seizures about every 4 weeks.  I hate this because he has never been sick or took medicine until now.  Anyone else going through this.  We live in Kansas City Missouri.

Comment by Missi Wallace on July 13, 2011 at 10:32pm

It's kind of ironic, isn't it? Our world believes in a donor program for transplants but battles stem cells. Stem cells do not have to come from embryos, can be harvested from umbilical cords that are being thrown in the trash or even from yourself. So many people suffer and die, when they really don't have to! I've met a family in the MICU that have a young son who wouldn't be paralyzed if the world embraced stem cells. My mom wouldn't be dying, either. The possibilities for cures are endless, but nixed by the impression that stem cells come from abortion. Could stem cells fix the bad spot in Jimmy's brain and let him be a normal kid?
Sounds like we parents need to adjust our battle to stem cell research to help our kids. Sorry, I'm having a rough night and don't mean to get on a soapbox.
I hope Ashley is feeling better.

Comment by LizaCallahan on June 24, 2011 at 11:19am

Thanks Missi for this valueable information. I wonder if they've ever checked Ashley's hormones. She is having such a hard time lately with her seizures. She fell out of bed while she was having one and broke her hand. Now her hand is in a cast. She's still not sleeping more than 2-3 hours a night as she can't stop talking to herself. She barely eats because she can't stop talking. She is more aggressive than ever and I think this is all brought on by the Keppra. So the neurologist decided to turn up her vns...which I think is a good thing as it is slowing down the seizures but her voice is hoarse and she needs to sleep. The one thing I don't want is for them to add some anti psychotic to cover up the side effect of the keppra because those side effects are worse...and she's not psychotic! I just wish I knew what to do for her. Maybe stem cells? John of God in Brazil? What can I do? I pray that God will send me the answer.

Comment by Missi Wallace on June 17, 2011 at 8:15pm

I can sympathize! I have a milder version of S-L, ended up a Type 1 diabetic at 32 but without the other issues. I'm 52 now, have been going thru menopause for 15 years. Every time my hormones decide to act up, I go thru a nightmare trying to keep my glucose under control. It's not just the estrogen, but progesterone and traces of testosterone, too, that send everything out of whack. Sometimes I end up using minute amounts of insulin, other times the insulin just doesn't seem to be enough, no matter how much I take. I hope you have some good news!

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