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MEDICAL
Seizures - What Everyone with a Child on the Spectrum Should Know

A good description from the Yahoo Health Page on Seizures:

Seizure Overview

The brain controls how the body moves by sending out small electrical signals through the nerves to the muscles. Seizures, or convulsions, occur when the normal signals from the brain are changed. Seizures are different from person to person. Some people have only slight shaking of a hand and do not lose consciousness. Other people may become unconscious and have violent shaking of the entire body.

Shaking of the body, either mild or violent, does not always occur with seizures. Some people with seizures briefly lose touch with their surroundings and appear to stare into space. Although awake, the person does not respond normally. Afterwards, the person does not remember the episode.

Not all body shaking is caused by seizures. Tremors are a type of body shaking that usually affects the hands and head. Several medical conditions can cause tremors.

About 10% of people will have a single seizure during their life. Having one seizure does not always mean a serious health problem exists. However, a first-time seizure should be evaluated by a health professional. It is important to rule out a serious illness that may have caused the seizure.

A seizure can be a symptom of many different health problems.

  • A child with a rapidly increasing fever can have a seizure (febrile seizure).

  • An extremely low blood sugar level can trigger a seizure in a person with diabetes.

  • Nonepileptic seizure (NES), also called pseudoseizure, is a condition that can cause seizurelike activity.

  • Withdrawal from alcohol, prescription medication, or street drugs can cause seizures.

  • Many times a seizure is a symptom of an illness, such as meningitis or encephalitis.

  • A brain tumor or structural defect in the brain may cause a seizure. Structural defects can include:

  • Aneurysms. An aneurysm is a bulging section in the wall of a blood vessel that has become stretched out and thin.

  • Arteriovenous malformations. An arteriovenous malformation is a congenital disorder that causes an abnormal web of blood vessels and veins in the brain, brain stem, or spinal cord. The vessel walls of an arteriovenous malformation may become weak and leak or rupture.

  • Cysts. A cyst is a saclike structure usually filled with fluid. Some cysts are filled with blood. Others are filled with clear fluid or pus.

  • Damage after a stroke, brain surgery, or a head injury.

  • Parasitic infections, such as tapeworm or toxoplasmosis.

  • Problems that have been present since birth (congenital problems).

What Does a Seizure Look Like?

Seizures do NOT always present exactly the same way in every individual. They can be different from a major convulsion on the floor to minor seizures which look like rapid eye movement or a period of “zoning out.”

Some of the ways seizures present are:

  • body shaking or rapid movement of a body party or convulsions (minor or dramatic shaking can occur with the entire body, or body parts like the legs or arms.)
  • a slight body or body part tremble
  • someone may loose consciousness or experience a seizure while “awake”
  • rapid eye blinking
  • zoning out or lack of attention for periods of time

While some autism spectrum individual’s zone out or lose attention from time to time as part of their disability it is important to know if it is an ATTENTION ISSUE or a medical issue like a seizure. There needs to be an evaluation to underst and which area needs to be addressed.

Another sign of seizures may be present if an individual gains skills and looses them. Or if a child is receiving many therapy hours via qualified professionals and is not making any progress. Children who are nonverbal for long periods after speech is obtained should also be evaluated for seizure disorders or other medical issues (like gastro/gut-related issues or metal toxicity.)

It is important to remember that seizures are not a voluntary action and cannot be forced or made to stop. The best things people can do while witnessing a seizure is to make sure the person experiencing a seizure is in a safe place. Care takers need to make sure the individual is not hurting themselves or biting their tongue while a seizure is in progress.

Watching someone experience a seizure can be incredibly scary situation – especially when it happens to a child. It is important to remember to stay calm and to seek medical care immediately at the conclusion of the seizure by calling 9-1-1. Do not delay in obtaining a complete medical evaluation IMMEDIATELY after someone experiences a seizure.

What Tests Can Be Done To Indicate Your Child May Have Seizures?

A 24 hour E.E.G. or portable E.E.G. equipment worn for a period of time are the st andard test for looking for seizure activity. Seizure activity does not always appear when the tests are being administered. It is important to test the child in one or more environments if seizures are suspected in an individual.

Note: Some doctors will only recommend a 45 minute E.E.G. This is not recommended as it is not enough time to investigate if a child has a problem with seizures or not.

When Do Seizures Happen?

Seizure activity can happen at any time. Each individual with seizure activity can experience them throughout the day, only at night or a combination of times. Sometimes seizures can occur during a specific activity such as watching T.V.

Some of the areas or times when seizures occur can be:

  • Any time!
  • Some individuals experience seizures at night time while sleeping
  • Some individuals experience seizures only during certain activities (while watching T.V. or during video games.)

It is important to note that seizure activity can start at three critical time periods during a child’s life. These time periods are:

  • Seizures can be present at or prior to the age of two years
  • Seizures can start at the first brain pruning period (on or about 6-8 years of age)
  • Seizures can start at puberty.

An individual cannot be determined “seizure free” until these three critical time periods pass. Some children will pass the first two time periods without a seizure and not experience one until when puberty starts.

What Medication Is Available for Seizure Disorders?

For children and adults diagnosed with a seizure disorder daily medication to control seizures is seriously recommended.

Summary of Uses of Anti-Convulsive Agents

Drug
Generalized
Absence
Myoclonic
Partial
Carbamazapine (Tegretol®)
++
-
-
+
Clonazepate
-
+
++
+
Clonazapam (Klonopin®)
+
+
+
+
Diazapam (Valium®)
+
-
+
+
Ethosuximide
-
++
-
-
Felbamate (Felbatol®)
+
++
-
+
Gabapentin (Neurontin®)
+
-
-
+
Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
++
+
+
+
Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®)
++
-
-
+
Phenobarbital
++
-
+
+
Phenytoin (Dilantin®)
++
-
-
-
Primidone
+
-
?
+
Topiramate (Topamax®)
+
?
+
+
Tiagabine (Gabitril®)
+
?
?
+
Valproate (Depokote®)
+++
++
 ++
+
Zonisamide
+
?
+
+

Definitions For Seizures By Medication Types Listed Above

  • Generalized Seizure: also known as a “grand mal seizure” typically involves the entire boy.

  • Absence Seizure: typically may appear to be staring into space and/or have jerking or twitching muscles. Also known as a “petit mal seizure.” It is important to note that un explained difficulties in school and learning difficulties may be the first indication of petit mal seizures.

  • Myoclonic Seizure: typically may be brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles

  • Partial Seizure: Partial (focal) seizures occur when this electrical activity remains confined to a limited area of the brain; they may sometimes progress to generalized seizures which affect the whole brain.

What Treatments Are Available for Seizure Disorders?

Some treatments are available for certain seizure disorders. One treatment readily available is Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment (HBOT). However, depending upon the type of seizure disorder HBOT may not be recommended.

Another school of thought would be seizures are due to heavy metal toxicity. Chelation is another treatment that is available.

Treating seizure disorders is also done with medication. Medication is prescribed based on the type and frequency of your child’s seizure disorder. Medication is important for many type of seizures so these events are mitigated and managed. Seizures left untreated can be deadly to the individual.

It is important to note that no treatment should be considered without the careful supervision of a doctor.

Next Steps

It is important to evaluate anyone on the autism spectrum for seizures as soon as possible. Some important items to consider include:

  • TEST: Every child on the autism spectrum should be evaluated for seizures with a 24 hour or longer E.E.G. by a pediatric neurologist.

  • FIND A RESOURCE: If you child is experiencing seizures it is important to find a pediatrician and neurologist to work together on managing the seizure disorder.

  • TREAT THE SEIZURE DISORDER: It is extremely important to note that seizures can be deadly. If your child has registerable seizure activity it is medically necessary to treat the seizure disorder. Your neurologist will help guide you on what seizure medication is most effective for your child’s type of seizure activity.

  • IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: A special I.D. bracelet or necklace for the individual affected by a seizure disorder is highly recommended for notifying emergency medical professionals in case of emergency.

  • KNOW THE SIGNS: Parents, friends, therapists, and family members should know the signs of what a seizure looks like and possible precursors to a seizure. Work with your doctor on underst anding the signs so you can best work with your child if and when they occur.

  • BECOME KNOWLEDGABLE: Reading and getting familiar with all your options for someone you love with a seizure disorder will help in providing options for treatments and prevention methods that could make a difference in their lives.

Web Resources

Book Resources

Joint Statement from TACA and the American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation

We have witnessed the tragic truth that anyone can develop epilepsy and/or autism; these disorders have no boundaries, they occur in all races and social classes. The reasons why people, young and old, develop epilepsy are not straightforward and there are many possible causes.  But recently, frightening statistics have emerged that there is a connection between children diagnosed with autism and an increase in occurrence of seizures as they reach puberty.   Therefore, The American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation and TACA are partnering, so that you can get support and answers if your child suffers from autism and seizures.  Please visit Epilepsy Outreach at www.epilepsyoutreach.org to get information specifically about living with epilepsy, seizure disorders and first-aid for seizures.  Together, in the future, we may be strong enough to force more research on these connections.

The American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation Mission Statement
The American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in honor of Emmett Leyden, a young boy, living with epilepsy. The Foundation’s mission is to raise the public’s awareness of epilepsy through advocacy and education, as well as provide support for those living with epilepsy and their families. We strive to eliminate the stigma and dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy.

Disclaimer: Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) provides general information of interest to the autism community. The information comes from a variety of sources, and TACA does not independently verify any of it. The views expressed herein are not necessarily TACA's. Nothing in this document should be construed as medical advice. Always consult your child's doctor regarding his or her individual needs.

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