Another Seizure..... surely there must be a link!

Another Seizure..... surely there must be a link!

I would really love to hear from anyone who has a child with Autism, and experiences Absent Seizures.  On Friday my youngest son has had what can only be described as another seizure. It didn't sound similar to that of last year, but the description I had from school, the pale skin, the stiffening of the body, the fixated trance, the 10 minute absence..... all points to that direction.  By the time I raced up to our school, he was slightly warm (temperature-wise) but nothing of a real concern. Again no real symptoms leading into this episode other than his overall behaviours.... (very obvious ASD traits showing) and he was on the computer. My Aide thought this could have set him off.... we really don't know.  

After bringing him home, I administered some Panadol and began the long night of watching and waiting. I alerted the support network around me in case of a late night call for help and just had to adopt the attitude of.... if it happens.... it happens.  Really what can you do in this situation ?

My motherly intuition is telling me and has always told me there is something going on here that needs further attention. I have always thought this...even after our EEG last year came back as normal.  The problem faced during these tests is that, your child needs to be sleep deprived.... which my son was. However he would not go to sleep.  I remember reading an article about Absent Seizures in Minds and Hearts last year.  It was published in the Autism Quarterly Magazine.  It was so interesting.  The article was about a child who was having seizures, but EEG's couldn't pick them up.  The only way to accurately do this if for the child to be asleep.  Then the sleeping patterns and brain activity can be detected.  I guess this information has always stayed in the back of my mind...especially when I see my son disappear into a trance.  Sometimes he can detect touch while other times he can't.  Some of these trances only last for around 10 secs.... while others are longer. His symptoms seem to be very inconsistent.  Knowing our tonsillectomy is only 7 weeks away.....I guess we are all just waiting to see if this will make any difference.  No tonsils will hopefully mean less infections....less temperatures etc. Our paediatrician has also order a complete blood analysis, so we can determine if his thyroid and iron levels are normal etc etc.  My looming concern now is, if this type seizure is happening regularly.... he could  have one while under the anaesthetic.  Then what?    Maybe I should be studying Neuroscience not Occupational Therapy!  Times like this I wish I knew what to do. I think the best course of action will be to go and see our paediatrician asap, and discuss what happened. He is such a caring doctor, with a supportive interest in my son.  I am sure he will put any reservations I have to rest. 

Still at times like this.... a little push towards what you know is the right way to go (listen to that motherly instinct), doesn't hurt when dealing with different specialists. Polite and respectful yet persuasive and firm, because sometimes a Mum just knows!