My son has been described as having mild Asperger's Syndrome, though he doesn't really fit it entirely. We do know that he isn't ADHD or autistic. He does have a few habits that remind me of very mild cerebral palsy. He is talkative, outgoing, but very awkward in large and small motor skills. He is advanced in reading and math, but highly disorganized and hard to switch activities. His mental processing speed is slower than average, but not in the low category. We work with him to get him to function well and he does pretty well - We focus on his gifts and help diminish his difficulties.
My concern right now is he tells me he is having frequent episodes or "glitches" that last about 10 - 15 seconds or so. During a glitch, his vision fuzzes and he simply stops, no jerking or any convulsions. He hears and is aware, but can't really act or respond for a few seconds. Then its over and he goes on. He says it just started this year - he had a period of glitches in the fall and then they stopped.
A good friend of mine has a type of epilepsy that has the exact same symptoms. She will just blank out several times a day, and no one can tell she's doing it from the outside. She has dealt with it really well and is graduating from college this spring. Definitely take him to a doctor to get diagnosed!
the glitches sound like what I went through while having pentemal seizures
I wish I knew more on the subject but it could be a form of seizure, not to alarm you. I remember reading ages ago that seizures don't necesarily mean convulsions. You might watn to ask a neurologist for a consult.
I would have him throughly checked by your doctor. Strokes, and other things could cause that. You need to take him soon.
Theresa,
I don't know for sure, but it sounds like he is having Petit Mal seizures that are causing neurological difficulties in his motor skills. I would definitely talk to his pediatrician about it and see if he/she will refer your son to a neurologist.
Ok, I've read up on Asperger's Syndrome. I have many children that are ADHD. I babysat a girl that had cerebral palsy although that was many years ago. The majority of behavior that you mention sounds like ADHD, however, from what I read about Aspergers, the two must have mutual links if people have been misdiagnosed either way with it, so it's probably safe to say that he either has ADHD or Aspergers. As for these "glitches", I suggest seeing a neurologist and having an MRI and EEG done on his head...I'm thinking it may be a seizure that he's having...if he's conscious and aware of what's going on around him but unable to respond or function while it's happening...it sounds like a staring spell seizure. Don't panic, because I'm sure that there are other things that do the same thing, but it's worth it to get him tested to find out. I get the same thing sometimes and thought it was seizures and it turned out that it was a nerve pinched in my back that was immitating seizures and I just needed to go to a chiropractor. I've learned to tell when it's a seizure and when it's not by the way my head feels. If I feel like electricity is going through the top of my head just before it happens and I have a bad headache and sometimes a little confusion afterwards, then it was a seizure. In the absense of the electric feeling, no head ache, then it was that nerve pinched in my back again. I don't know how old this son is to know if he's able to tell you everything he's feeling or not, but just for safty and knowledge, I would definately get it checked out.
T.
I have to agree with everyone else, it sounds like seizures. my mother actually started having petit mal seizures when she was 41 i think. Unfortunately it would happen while she was driving, and she would forget everything for a few seconds (where she was driving, how to drive, etc.). please get him checked asap, the sooner they find out what is causing it, the better. good luck, please let us know what happens.
T.,
I would ask for a referral to see a neurologist. He may be having complex partial seizures. If not, the neurologist may still request an EEG to rule out any seizure activity. Good luck.
N.
Here are a couple of websites that could tell you about it.
He might just be epileptic tho, because my mom is and staring into space like that is a sign of being epileptic (a seizure patient.) altho you should look into it further and take him to a specialist but please check out these websites!!! they have some much needed info!!!
http://www.neurologychannel.com/cerebralpalsy/symptoms.shtml
http://www.cerebralpalsylawyers.us/characteristics_diagno...
I would definitely take him to a doctor and have him checked out....there are seizures that present just like that, no jerking or convulsions, just like you described. Good luck, I hope everything is ok!
sounds to me like his "glitches" are mild siezures. i girl i work with has a 2 year old son that has seisures and they are very similar to what you described. her son had a stroke during delivery and that's what caused them. you might want to see about getting him in to see a neurologist is they contiue.
I hate this condition. More and more kids are having it and no one can tell why or help them! This is a major medical epidemic unfolding and more and more children are affected. My son is also right there on the spectrum but hasn't been yet diagnosed. He is going for testing the end of the month. Those glitches concern me I would make an appointment with a neurologist soon!
T.: It sounds like he is having petit mal seizures. I would suggest getting him evaluated by a pediatric neurologist. This is actually a very common thing, he can be aware of everything going on around him but unable to respond. Good Luck to you!
He could be haveing seizures you really need to have him checked out.
I would get him to a neurologist ASAP. I had a Psychology professor a few semesters ago that shared her story with the class during a biological brain function lecture. She had gotten out of her car at IU to walk inside and teach a class, and as she was walking through the garage she stopped dead in her tracks. She couldn't move her legs, thought it was kind of funny but no big deal, and then the feeling subsided after about 10 seconds and she continued on. It happened again a few days later, and worried at that point she went to the doctor...5 days later she was having an 8 hour brain surgery to remove a tumor that was pushing on an area of her brain that controlled involuntary movement.
It may not be anything, but it could be something that needs taken care of right away. JWM Neurology on the north side of Indy is great, though you will probably need a refferal from his primary to go there.
Best of luck, I hope everything turns out fine for you guys!
