Anyone have a child with high anxiety and or absence seizures?

Aimee - posted on 02/26/2010

Not sure exactly what it is, but he sure loves it and it makes a HUGE difference. In regards to the pull-ups...He has "big-boy"pull ups, Underjams is what they are called. I am about to agree that putting him in them daily would cause less stress on him and less rashes. Maria-Tristen also spells words out all the time..Like when he is using the bathroom, (he doesn't wipe himself yet), and he needs me to come help, he says D-O-N-E...until I come and help him. Tristen doen't really throw tantrums, he just cries until he almost throws up...now sometimes (very rarely) he gets so upset that he lashes out and yells at us at the top of his lungs! I am anxious to see if our county offers these Assistive learning tools..I really hope they do. He would be a totally different child if they would let him just be himself!

Maria - posted on 02/25/2010

sounds like a boy I just started watching in my childcare ... he is intense and handles change poorly. He covers his ears if he hoesn't want to 'hear' his environment and spells out words as a coping skill to facing challenges ... he yells out and tantrums whenever it is not going how he wants it to go ... GREAT kid and super kind ... just has a super hard time with things that are out of his control ... your boys sounds just like this little fella who is 3. Mother just bought a leapster for him and it does wonders to 'focus' him in the transition moments ... interesting to see what it is about leapster that helps him relax ...

Barbara - posted on 02/25/2010

hi again everyone!

Meela,
you rock with your right on information! Special Ed isn't just about the class, it is about meeting the child's needs. An education advocate will help you to determine what you think are your child's problems and how to word them into goals and objectives that are incorporated into the teacher's and therapists IEP. The school district determines through their specialists whether there is a need for special ed, not his medical doctor, eyeroll.
The pullups thing....maybe get him some very "big boy" pants to wear that don't accentuate pullups when worn? Staying dry would be more big boy than wetting maybe? heck I don't know.
Using the Leapster is a great idea! Assistive electronics are allowed if they improve learning, performance, behavior etec..and I bet he qualifies on several levels.
You are in such a good place right now, at least here on paper I am rooting for you :)
Hugs,
Barb

Vanessa - posted on 02/21/2010

My son is 8, he has Aspergers syndrome. He attends the special education unit at his school. It is a small class of 6 children, with a teacher and teacher aide in the room. This has been a god send for him and us. He does not have any trouble learning he is a bright boy. Being in a small class with teachers who are experienced with children with ASD helps dramatically. His day is less stressful and almost anxiety free. I highly recommend special education if needed.

Good Luck

Aimee - posted on 02/20/2010

WOW! I didn't realize he could have something like the Leapster to use in school...that is cool. He would LOVE that! Thank you for the info!

Meeka - posted on 02/18/2010

Once your son receives his diagnosis, please contact your school for an IEP (Individual Education Plan) if you are in the US. This will assist your son in easing the stress of school and allow his to learn on his terms - not the way the school feels like teaching him. School should not be a punishment to one's senses. Look up Educational Advocates in your area, the school district is also required to furnish you with names of Advocates (this is usually a free service). Assistive Technology will be able to hook your son up with something like the Leapster to use in school, this may also ease stress. Once an IEP is in place you will be amazed at the opportunities you are entitled to! OT, PT, sensory integration assistance etc etc etc - I am an Educational Advocate and would be happy to assist you in any way you need :)



Having learning differences has NOTHING to do with a child's level of intelligence - don't let the docs hornswaggle you in to their lack of knowledge regarding HOW your son deserves his Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as is guaranteed by IDEA 97/2004. Medical doctors have every right to give MEDICAL advice, PLEASE find an Educational Advocate to give your son his rights to an education the way HE needs :)

Aimee - posted on 02/16/2010

I will try to find you on facebook, but he wears pull-ups at night, but not during the day and he wets all day long...I think it may make him more embarrassed or self-concieous (sp?). He is not in special ed, however, his doctors do not hink he needs to be in a different calss, they said he can stay in a main-stream class because he is not having trouble learning. In fact, he is VERY intelligent to the point that he is ahead of all the students in his class and probably most of the kindergarteners. Although, they did say he will probably be put in an IEP program and the teachers will all get together and discuss his needs/wants so that he will be comfortable in his setting. Asperger's is a very high anxiety syndrome and can cause depression and I am just hoping to find someone to help before that happens because my son has been a very happy child and I don not want that to change. His room (that he shares with his brother), is just his bed and their dressers..they have a trundle bed because he WILL NOT sleep alone and even when his brother is in there, he still sleeps with a fan for noise and a night light and he (most nights) still either comes in my room or stays awake and cries to be with us because he is so scared of who knows what...it is really sad. He has an attachment to his Leapster that he plays to keep him sane and he is actually happy playing that all day because he just tries to beat his own score over and over. Thank you for your concern and I will keep you updated. aimee

Barbara - posted on 02/16/2010

hi Aimee,
Sorry this is so late in responding. Yes I have heard of Asperger's..my sister is dating a guy who has this. In some cases there is thefear of change and repetition love, othere kids also have some need to psychologicla help..at least for a while. It does Not mean they are crazy, just that it can be a stage of the disorder. Asperger's people are a rule are very smart and are usually able to hold down a job as adults.
You have not said if your son is in Special Ed. I urge you to get him in the program now if he is not. If he is already...have his IEP amended to include goals to handle change which would include the teacher or aide talking with him 1 on 1 in advance if anything that is different happens. Your son won't meet the goal, but the teacher has to try.....sneaky huh
You have your son wear pullups? In some seizure and anxiety occasions, the child just cannot control his bladder and boys are worse than girls at this.
I do agree with others heere who suggest making his room a calm place for him, low stimulation, not much stuff, so it can be a refuge if he gets stressed. write me back plasee I woud like to know how you are doing, or contact me on Facebook..Friend me :)
Barbara Storll McNutt. {{{Hugs}}}

Mary - posted on 02/15/2010

Yes my 10 yr old has seizures and other learning disorders, and when things are out of place he gets upset. He has been put on another medicine which has helped but the teacher that he has is suddenly been treating him bad and the school want do nothing about it. Noone knows what we parents go through it is hard but I am there for you parents because I have been there and im still there. Mikey is very touchy over toys and food he want sleep in his bed unless the light is on.

Lindsay - posted on 02/15/2010

My son is 2 years old and has complex and absence seizures....My son would stare in space and then hit somene after he was done...Sometimes I would talk to him and he would not responed the doctor states that it is a seizure....But I have been told different things by differnt doctors...Anyways I wish you luck....

Nicola - posted on 02/15/2010

Last year my son was to be picked up by one of the other Mums from his class, the School Administrator failed to get the message to his teacher to pass on to my son that i would not collecting him, she was 10 minutes late picking him up, he know suffers terribly from seperation anxiety,we have tried counselling and every day reasurring him that i will be there to collect him, if any one has been through this i would love some feed back on how you handled the situationa and how long it took.

Bernice - posted on 02/12/2010

Hello,
My Son is 18, he started with grand mal seizures, and a cluster of petit mal seizures, then absence seizures, any where form 42 to 60 seizures a day. He went through a ton of tests. I took him to several neurologists, each with a different diagnosis. Finally I found a neurologist in MO, and he diagnosed him is Lennox-Gaustaut syndrome. It is a cluster of several seizures, He is now in remission for the past 7 years. He had similar behaviors as your son has as far as the anxiety, covering his eyes and ears, What I did find out that some people with a seizure disorder, they get auras like lights flashing in his eyes, or a pitch of sound or ringing, before a seizure occurs. This made so much sense to me. He is a A-B-C person. If things are out of order he panics, acts out, questions why, what, how could this happen. I thought once he was older this would calm down, but it didn't. If things at school changes, he gets aggressive, cries, get really mad. I at times want to pull my hair out, and cry. My husband is so helpful, he does a lot of re direction, and takes time to talk and explain to him things will change. We know he doesn't really understand. He has a aid with him most of the time, but with cut backs she is only with him for part of the day. The past two years at school has been a circus. His behavior has become worse. He graduates this year, and will go to an Adults with disabilities work. With every change that occurs it takes months for him to adjust. Change is not good for him or us. My thoughts are with you. There is hope! Good luck. You are in my prayers..

Aimee - posted on 02/12/2010

Hi Barb,
i am now waiting for an appointment with a developmental Pediatrician so that they can diagnose him with Asperger's syndrome. After imense testing and going to tons of different doctors, they have all agreed that the most probable cause for his actions and behavior is Asperger's. Have you heard of this?
Thank you...Aimee

Barbara - posted on 11/24/2009

hi hi Aimee,
You sound very smart in picking up so many clues of his behavior, some folks wouldn't even notice. Definitely get him in special ed, which also includes summer school. I hope you are taking him to a neurologist, to rule out other types of seizures and get some official documentation of his behaviors.
This is so hard to deal with, my youngest son still, at 28, is rigid about certain things and doesn't handle change well. He has cerebral palsy, seizures, panic attacks and has a few autistic type behaviors but not the diagnosis since he is very verbal and very social. I remember being your age with young kids and thinking it would last forever this hard, actually it does get better. I'm mostly sane and have lived to tell the tale of my kids. Hang in there...email if you want at BarbRN53@yahoo.com.
Here are a few links to get you started...go at your own pace there is so much information out there it is easy to get overwhelmed.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageS...

support sites, information and good stuff here.

http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/

a great place to chat with others and get current info, an official site.

Happy Thanksgiving! gobble gobble
Barb

Aimee - posted on 11/23/2009

I am being extremely patient, and I just found out that he may possibly have what they call regressive autism. He hears voices and several other indications that something besides the seizures is in play. I appreciate all your help and would appreciate it even more if you continure to offer help to me, a mother in dire need of direction! thank you!

Sabrina - posted on 11/19/2009

my son has some level of this type of anxiety, and truthfully, my partner was more like your son in school. cried to the point of throwing up daily ...yep daily...for a whole year in grade school, came on suddenly.
so i can tell you there is hope

the diagnosis in that case was OCD
for my son...it was touretts, SPD, anxiety disorder to name a few.

so the seizures may or may not be realted.
i would start trying to find out if my son
1. heard voices that he might be trying to shut out
is he having obsessive thoughts or repetative or pressing thoughts
2.try a comfort attatchemtn, a blinket, a photo.
3 in school, you may need a one to one aid
4. my son also fell to peices if some thing is out of order or routine at school.
ask the staff to inform you if teacher is absent, so you can talk with him,
5. good for you fro tying to keep your patience,your job is to educate the staff and brainstorm coping techniques with the staff.
6. offer him more controll of things in his little circle of life. stick to your family routine, with my son, we had to really literally watch the clock and time what happened when. i bought him a watch to cut his anxiety. we had dinner started at EXACTLY 5pm. not 5;o6...for example. if i said i was going to the bank to the store and then home...I DID NOT throw in a trip to the coffee house on the side or go to 3 or 4 stores after telling him only 1.
what helped my partner growing up was to have his personal space just so and comfortable. his parents had him help decorate and things stayed just so. they had a routine at home, they used love and more love...never impatient or punitive. i think over time they gave him a sense of personal responsibility over himself and his surroundings. telling him things to reinforce that. they stayed flexable.
7. with my son, we keep his exposure to crowds even to many relatives limited. he is allowed to go and regroup in his little room
8. your child may be willfully ignoring you, but unless there is some power struiggle going on ( only you would know) i susupect he may have another motive.
are you asking him to engage in something that would overwhelm him...like say...go to school...hes resisting your request thats all. move the conversation on to what you can controll in that sitution.

best of luck and keep doing your research! get a therapist and be patient

Rachel - posted on 11/19/2009

Hi. My heart goes out to you. Our son is 12, and he has similar behavior. He does have a generalized seizure disorder (including absence seizures) and has been on several meds for years. His seizures are mostly under control with absence seizures still breaking through a few times a week. Hopefully you will get results of an EEG that will help determine if he is having seizures. Our son does seem to have more behaviors and anxiety during times of more seizures. But, our son also has been diagnosed with autism due to his rigidity, sensory issues, etc. Not saying that this is what might be going on with your son, but it may be worth mentioning to his neurologist and school. I do know that it is very frustrating and stressful for our son to have seizures and miss out on things--imagine coming to and have someone talking to you or redirecting you to do something and you have no idea what had happened a few moments before. This happened a lot at school for Dakota, and he would get so stressed out. Hope you can get some answers and help soon!