http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/13.page JForum - http://www.jforum.net http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#141 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#141 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#159 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#159 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#170 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#170 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#171 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#171 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#188 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#188 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#219 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#219 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#241 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#241 GMT The Lancet Neurology October 2002, Vol. 1, Issue 6.) If you would like to dig deep yourself into the medical literature, the article cited above would be a good start. (Articles have references to other articles, and you can quickly generate an entire stack on any topic to study.) Abstracts (which are quick summaries) are available to the public for free at www.pubmed.gov; to get full articles you might have to pay for them or make a trip to a medical library. Tips on how to evaluate the scientific articles you read can be found in "A Uniform Framework for Evaluating Research Studies" here: http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/understanding_research/oar_uniform_framework_for_eval_research In truth, we do not yet have complete answers on the link between epilepsy and autism. IAN will be able to play a role in future studies by providing data not on just a few, but on thousands of children, to researchers investigating this issue, as well as many others. In addition, just by your post here, your views and priorities will be included when we at IAN meet with researchers. We will be providing feedback and input from the Community, including these messageboards, to help make parents' voices heard. ]]> http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#248 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#248 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#251 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#251 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#257 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#257 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#267 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#267 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#388 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#388 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#390 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#390 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#514 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#514 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#515 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#515 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#526 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#526 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#527 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#527 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#541 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#541 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#947 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#947 GMT Pediatric Neurology article, "Language Regression in Childhood,": "The Landau-Kleffner syndrome or acquired epileptic aphasia is a childhood epilepsy syndrome in which children with previously acquired language undergo a regression of language in association with either clinical seizures or an epileptiform EEG or both." Autism can also involve loss of language skills and/or seizures. What is most important as you work with the team evaluating your child is to ask questions. Sometimes professionals forget to slow down and share their reasoning with you - how did they come to a certain diagnosis? What was their own mental process, as they looked at your child's profile and behaviors? You should definitely feel empowered to ask them to slow down and explain what they saw and why it led them to make the diagnosis they did, as well as how they then went on to propose a certain treatment. Another thing to keep in mind whenever you deal with medical or mental health professionals is what specific field they are in. Each discipline has its own "lens." That is, a neurologist may approach a problem from one angle (maybe focusing on the child's EEG), a psychiatrist from another (maybe focusing on the child's behavior). Autism is so complex, in all its aspects, it almost forces parents to be able to shift their own perspectives, trying to see what's going on from all of these angles at once, and to encourage the professionals working with them to do the same. ]]> http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#950 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#950 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1421 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1421 GMT "Treatment of children with autism and epilepsy is guided by the principles of treating childhood epilepsy. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are chosen based on seizure type and clinicians strive for maximum seizure control with minimum side effects. The practicalities of certain treatment choices are very important in ASD. Factors such as available formulations (liquid vs. tablets vs. capsules), dosing schedules, need for blood monitoring, and, most importantly, behavioral side effects must be considered. It is important to note that treating epilepsy does not usually have a major impact on the autism symptomatology. Some children may show improvements in cognition, communication, or behavior, but the autism diagnosis does not change." The good news there is that they are not reporting that autism symptoms worsen as a result of treatments provided for epilepsy. As for whether medications may help...it is possible that they might. Parents are often reluctant to give their child medications, understandably, and that seems even more so for anything that effects the brain, from anti-seizure meds to antidepressants. One thing it is important to remember is that you can always try a medication and then stop it if you observe any negative side-effects. It is also important to keep in mind that there is some trial and error involved to find what works best, as un-fun as that process may be. Ultimately, you will need to consult with your medical team to decide if, when, and what to try. If you do decide to try medication, what may be most important is having a team that you know will be available if you have any concerns at all during the process.]]> http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1423 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1423 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1467 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1467 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1471 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1471 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1479 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1479 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1488 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1488 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1492 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1492 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1739 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1739 GMT http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1740 http://kki.qorvis.com/forum/posts/list/54.page#1740 GMT