T.S. asks from Fort Wayne, IN on February 16, 2007
9 Year Old Son Is Having "Glitches"
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.
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A.A. answers from Lexington on February 17, 2007
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!
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S.L. answers from Indianapolis on February 17, 2007
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!
R.P. answers from Indianapolis on February 16, 2007
He could be haveing seizures you really need to have him checked out.
T.R. answers from Charleston on February 17, 2007
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!
N.B. answers from Indianapolis on February 17, 2007
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!
A.A. answers from Lexington on February 17, 2007
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!
M.E. answers from Lexington on February 22, 2007
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.
R.H. answers from Indianapolis on February 17, 2007
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!
D.B. answers from Kokomo on February 22, 2007
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...
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