Comments on: So Is It Really Autism?: The search for medical signs

By: Genetic Cause for Childhood Absence Epilepsy Identified

Genetic Cause for Childhood Absence Epilepsy Identified — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:25:21 +0000

[...] be 100% certain about anything, though—-hence the continuing interest in the possibility of medical signs and/or tests to detect conditions; to find answers. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, brain, [...]

By: thorton

thorton — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:23:31 +0000

It is hard to fully rule out seizures; especially absent seizures.

Our daughter had a clean EEG, but the neurologist said the same thing; you can never fully rule them out.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:59:54 +0000

@thorton, we were wondering about absent seizures for Charlie, but it doesn’t look like it. But one never outrules any possibilities…..

@CS Wyatt,
You wrote–

“My sensitivity to the world is much worse with some medications. To me, this is interesting and points to some neurological aspects of my nature. Other medications dull me to everything.

It was a parent whose child takes seizure meds who noted to me that perhaps a change in dosage or something else might cause certain changes in Charlie that we’ve no direct way of knowing. There was a time when Charlie kept throwing his plate of food—he’d stare at it and then the plate, and the food, were airborne. My friend pointed out that the meds might be affecting how things tasted and smelled, and that what once seemed delicious now seemed something like repulsive.

By: thorton

thorton — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:43:41 +0000

EEGs and MRIs are commonly suggested to be done after an autism or PDD/NOS diagnosis (if you have a knowledgeable pediatrician).

We had an EEG on our son and it showed that he had absent seizures. After a week of seizure meds, he showed significant improvements in concentration. And soon after his behaviors diminished. It’s been one of the more significant pieces of the puzzle for us.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:55:55 +0000

@waterlotus, very interesting—-visual processing is something my son has always struggled with. I think he tries to focus on objects but it’s not easy for him to control his eyes.

By: waterlotus

waterlotus — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:52:34 +0000

I have worked with many “autistic” kids. I have come to believe that the most revealing “symptom” is the inability/unwillingness to focus visually, unless the object is of extreme interest… say the moving propeller on a toy aircraft or other such “fascinating” movement..

By: resilientmom

resilientmom — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:45:11 +0000

My recollection is that we saw an increase in obessive behavior when he was 11 years old, consequently we tried medication. The following 2 years were difficult, due to treatment vs. adverse reaction to medication (we believed that anafranil induced more agressive behavior). Following age 14-15 he was more reasonable and easier to negotiate with. We then weaned him from all medication and it wasn’t until he was 18 that we decided to try abilify (another parent recommended that it diffused quirky behavior) He was evaluated recently and a doctor who had not seen him in a long time assessed that he was very impressed with his calm.
Hope this helps.
xRobin

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:22:53 +0000

@resilient mom,

I’ve heard that about puberty—-that after it passed, things indeed “truly improved.” May I ask how long it lasted?

Here’s Scientific Blogging with some caveats about EEGs and MRIs for autistic children.

By: resilientmom

resilientmom — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:51:46 +0000

Hi Kristina,
I am responding to your reflections and concerns about puberty. I recognize your assessment here, as our son seemed transformed during those years. His behavior was erratic, outbursts intense and overall demeanor more obsessive than ever.
The good news is that following puberty he truly improved. Truth be told, behavioral strategies needed to be consistent and we all had to be on the same page, but I am here to tell you that we survived on the other side.
xRobin

By: Caroline L.

Caroline L. — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:00:04 +0000

Thank you for alerting your readers to this ABC News story, Kristina. I did not know about it and my son has LKS.

A label is just a label…all students require an appropriate education -the problems develop when any student, regardless of their diagnosis, is treated harshly.

The education system should assume competence not teach to a low level using 20 year old special education models. (physical restraints, seclusion, yelling, name calling students, laughing about them as if they cannot understand, etc.)

I have long believed that ASD/PDD-NOS label is often attached in order to ‘get services’ but can backfire as the child gets older and is stuck in inappropriate settings or warehoused.

For any child who experiences regression especially, a 24 hour sleep EEG read by a qualified neurologist should be part of the diagnostic protocol.
LKS variants include ‘pre-verbal’ children who regress in motor skills, etc.

The ABC story paints a happy picture – the reality for our child is debilitating migraine-like headaches, side effects from medications, and his epilepsy gets worse every year. However, when he is feeling well, no one is better company…just like Charlie