Delay in learning

Kim - posted on 02/27/2009

My son is now 3.5 yrs old and was diagnosed with epilepsy at 15 months old.  We have tried several meds and none have really worked -- he continues to have tonic clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal) on a regular basis.  He goes to a preschool for kids with special needs and has been classified as having a severe speech delay.  I'm not sure what has caused this delay....his seizures or the meds or a combination of them both.  But I do know that it's not uncommon for kids with epilepsy to have speech/learning delays.  Early intervention is the key so don't give up!  Good luck.

Drewin - posted on 02/26/2009

You should see about getting a referral to speech and occupational therapy. I only wish we would have started this much earlier!

Erin - posted on 02/25/2009

My 7 year old son has been dealing with Petit-Mal and Absence seizures since the age of 2. Before his first seizure he was ahead of his age developmentally. After his first cluster of seizures which lasted 6 hrs he fell drastically behind. It's like he forgot everything that took him 2 years to learn. He had to go to Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy which he still takes in school. He is in Special Ed. According to his doctor, he is about 2 years behind developmentally. He is a very smart boy, but the seizures hold him back. He has so many throughout the day that his little brain doesn't absorb much of the information at school. My advice is don't stress and worry about her "catching" up. She will learn at her own pace. The more you push, the more frustrating it is for the both of you. I learned that the hard way. I might take her a little longer than the rest of the kids in her class, but she will get it.

Kelly - posted on 02/25/2009

my son was one when he had his first fit and was put on epilim and now he is 6 and is on two more. he went to the childrens and was given phenobarbital and it was a big dose that he eded up in a coma for a week so he is not allowed to take that so they just gave him a higher dose with the three he has now and since we have got home he has only 3 fits.

Holly - posted on 02/25/2009

I have a son that is 5 1/2 he was also diagnosed at 1 year old. The dr that diagnosed him put him on phenobarbital but when we seen a dr in our area he took him off of it right away said he does not like the long term side affects they out way the help it gives in his thoughts. My son is Very much delayed, his speech is at about a 8-12 month old, his other skills are at about 24 months. we started getting him tested with a speech teach and and special needs teacher at about 1 1/2 years old I was questioning his speech he was not really saying much yet. A lot of people told me that he was a second child and they tend to take longer to talk. He did not quilify for speech right away but did get a special teacher to come in to our home to work with him. So I am glad i started the testing early.

Katie - posted on 02/20/2009

Hi my 3 month old son was put on phenobarbitol at 3 weeks due to seizures, it made him extremely angry, he would scream all the time... It didnt stop his seizure, But those 3 weeks he was on that med has put him exactly that ammount of time behind in his development, which is a lot for a small baby. So we moved on to Tegritol, which also hasnt worked, now we are on to Epilum.. there are a wide variety of options for meds, maybe get a second opinion...We too hope that one day he can catch up...

Lisa - posted on 02/18/2009

I am sure she will catch up with her age group! My son is also on phenobarbital 6ml's 2 times a day and is only 7months old he has been on it from about 3 weeks old and I have not noticed that it made him any differant maybe because he is so young... He is behind for his age so He now has birth to 3 and they come once a week and he has been catching right up to were he should be...

Angie - posted on 02/18/2009

Hello I have a daughter that will be 7 next month and she was diagnosed Nov of 2006, and we have been on several medicines and started at a local neuro doctor, but I wasn't quite happy there and my daughter became very hyper too... well I opted to go for a second opion and my husband and I decided to take her to the best in the area, and we now take our daughter to Mayo clinic... and by going there we found that our daughters medicine was to high and that was why she was on the hyper side, and also when they can take solids... I would suggest if there is such a thing as sprinkles in your medicine form take that.. it is timed released and the child won't be on the roller coaster ride every day... as for the learning... yes I have been going through that with my daughter in kindergarden... but we are greatful for the teacher and she really informs us of changes.. and they have had professionals stopping in to check on her too... so I am seeing just working with them and continues praise is what they need and they will progres....Every need someone to talk I am here for you

Rochelle - posted on 02/08/2009

Hi, Jessica



My dd has had seizures since she was 3 1/2 yrs old..They started when she was sleeping but now happen at day or nite. The neuro says they will not ever be completly caught up because every time they have a seizure some memory or things learned disappear. Just try to see something good in everyday things that happen because after 5 yrs I still get depressed. Jas has had a terrible time at school and before she even starts school someday have her tested through your special education program even before Kinderg. so they can see if she's at grade level or needs help don't be afraid to ask for anything she needs. People made me feel like it was me being a first time mom and that I worried too much but I really just wanted her to have everything that everyone else gets! I have been through a lot over the years and if you need a shoulder I could be one. Good luck. Sorry I just noticed the speech part and my jas has speech classes that she attends but that really depends on hereidity or delay from seizures they can tell you which.