gavman
02-27-2004, 01:31 PM
Hello,
I'm wondering if anyone with a diagnosis of epilepsy has also been suspected to have ADD. Our son was diagnosed with epilepsy 4 yrs ago following one seizure and several abnormaql EEG's. He has always had learning issues such as memory problems, not being able to stay on task, processing issues, word searching, to name a few. He has a full time aide with him in the classroon (1st grade). We have been attributing these learning problems to the epilepsy. This week we took him to a new neurologist that had been recommended to us by several parents from an epilepsy support group (we were unhappy with our neurologist at the time because he did not seem to address "the whole picture" He seemed very focused on the EEG and whether or not our son was having seizures, but not with the learning difficulties). The new doctor said he thought our son could have ADD and recommended a neuropsych. evaluation. I know that ADD does not cause epilepsy but could epilepsy cause/contribute to ADD? Or could he just have both, one not related to the other? Thank you for any insight you have.
Cris
I'm wondering if anyone with a diagnosis of epilepsy has also been suspected to have ADD. Our son was diagnosed with epilepsy 4 yrs ago following one seizure and several abnormaql EEG's. He has always had learning issues such as memory problems, not being able to stay on task, processing issues, word searching, to name a few. He has a full time aide with him in the classroon (1st grade). We have been attributing these learning problems to the epilepsy. This week we took him to a new neurologist that had been recommended to us by several parents from an epilepsy support group (we were unhappy with our neurologist at the time because he did not seem to address "the whole picture" He seemed very focused on the EEG and whether or not our son was having seizures, but not with the learning difficulties). The new doctor said he thought our son could have ADD and recommended a neuropsych. evaluation. I know that ADD does not cause epilepsy but could epilepsy cause/contribute to ADD? Or could he just have both, one not related to the other? Thank you for any insight you have.
Cris
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tkdmom96
02-27-2004, 11:21 PM
Your post brought back a few memories. Katie was in first grade when her teacher thought she had ADD. She was a special needs teacher prior to teaching a regular first grade class. We went through the whole M-team thing and met with the school pyschologist. We decided to leave it alone because our home report was different than the school report. Attributed it to stress in the classroom (She had 3 students who should have had aides with them. They would kick and bite the teacher and that really bothered Katie a lot). Katie didn't have any other issues, we always felt it was med related. Because our daughter has been through the Neuropsych test recently (August 2003, to evaluate for surgery) I would strongly recommend it. They are able to pinpoint many issues. IQ, quantative, spatial, reading, memory, all kinds of stuff. I'd have to look at the report to tell you all of the areas they test. It took Katie 7 hours to do hers, all in one day. I have no idea if they do something shorter for younger kids. Katie was 15 at the time. It was a long day for her, but very informative for us. She is having a terrible time in Geometry this year (70% average) and had a 92-94% in Algebra last year. We know this has to do with the spatial issues she has, according to the neuropysch exam. We knew this even before she started Geometry in September, but never told Katie. She also does not have ADD. I will tell you Katie's test cost $1700.00 and we live in Wisconsin. It is hard to tell what is E related, med related, etc. But with the neuropsych exam, it should help shed some light for you.
Good luck to you and your son,
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know
Good luck to you and your son,
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know
HelloKathy
02-28-2004, 12:51 AM
I don't know if I technically have ADD but I do know that epilepsy does do some crazy things to your memory and attention span. I am an adult and have been through college and grad school and things were very rough for me in class. I would zone out during discussions. I had to read everything 3 or 4 times because my reading comprehension was so poor. The worst thing was my memory and trying to remember things for exams. I got used to it.
The days following a seizure, for up to 2 weeks on some occasions, I am in a different state of my and I can't remember anything that has occured recently or things that are in my short term memory. Also, during these days I have a lot of difficulty learning new things and paying attention. I don't know if this is "ADD" or my mind just recovering from a seizure. Probably the latter.
If you think that your child has ADD due to seizures, I would say that having a seizure causes you to lose your memory and losing your memory causes you to be a little "out of it". So, if your child isn't paying attention in school or at home or is having trouble with learning, don't worry! Get the seizures under control and your problem will be solved. If the seizures aren't going away, you will be relieved to know that I got through years of schooling with tons of seizures, memory loss, and horrible comprehension and concentration. Everything was harder for me than the other students but I never gave up and I hope you don't either!!
-Kathy ;)
The days following a seizure, for up to 2 weeks on some occasions, I am in a different state of my and I can't remember anything that has occured recently or things that are in my short term memory. Also, during these days I have a lot of difficulty learning new things and paying attention. I don't know if this is "ADD" or my mind just recovering from a seizure. Probably the latter.
If you think that your child has ADD due to seizures, I would say that having a seizure causes you to lose your memory and losing your memory causes you to be a little "out of it". So, if your child isn't paying attention in school or at home or is having trouble with learning, don't worry! Get the seizures under control and your problem will be solved. If the seizures aren't going away, you will be relieved to know that I got through years of schooling with tons of seizures, memory loss, and horrible comprehension and concentration. Everything was harder for me than the other students but I never gave up and I hope you don't either!!
-Kathy ;)
gavman
02-28-2004, 10:27 PM
Vicki and Kathy,
Thank you both so much for your replies. Sounds like a neuropsych. evaluation is the way to go at this point. We have been wanting one for a long time. Had to put it off due to doctor/insurance changes. Now we are awaiting authorization. :yawn: I had no idea they could provide so much information. I hope the insurance company will cover this. We've been told it's about 15 hours of testing (done over several days) and approx. $4,000.
Kathy, I really admire what you have been able to accomplish in your life. I feel my son will most likely have a similar experience as far as having to work harder than most people to accomplish the same goal. We will do all we can for him to ensure him the best possible future.
Thanks again!
Cris
Thank you both so much for your replies. Sounds like a neuropsych. evaluation is the way to go at this point. We have been wanting one for a long time. Had to put it off due to doctor/insurance changes. Now we are awaiting authorization. :yawn: I had no idea they could provide so much information. I hope the insurance company will cover this. We've been told it's about 15 hours of testing (done over several days) and approx. $4,000.
Kathy, I really admire what you have been able to accomplish in your life. I feel my son will most likely have a similar experience as far as having to work harder than most people to accomplish the same goal. We will do all we can for him to ensure him the best possible future.
Thanks again!
Cris
kayakmom
03-01-2004, 12:20 PM
My son has had a diagnosis of ADHD as well as learning disabilities along with the epilepsy. He had neuropsych testing 18 months ago and is due another reevaluation at some point. It was 2500 for us to have all the academic testing he needed. I think the neuropsych part the insurance did pay, but we paid the rest. It was a big help to separate what things were aggravated by the meds, what might be seizure related and what his specific learning problems were.
My son also has to work pretty hard to achieve average grades. His concentration is getting worse right now and we are not sure if it is puberty onset, ADHD increasing, the fact that he has been off meds 18 months and still having seizures( very long story) or the newly suspected sleep apnea issues. All of these can cause the lack of concentration and difficulty...
Hope the testing helps you understand what is making things tough for your son. It is not always bad to have to work hard, but it is frustrating to them to see others get things so easily while they have to work.
My son also has to work pretty hard to achieve average grades. His concentration is getting worse right now and we are not sure if it is puberty onset, ADHD increasing, the fact that he has been off meds 18 months and still having seizures( very long story) or the newly suspected sleep apnea issues. All of these can cause the lack of concentration and difficulty...
Hope the testing helps you understand what is making things tough for your son. It is not always bad to have to work hard, but it is frustrating to them to see others get things so easily while they have to work.
tkdmom96
03-01-2004, 03:07 PM
I agree with Kayakmom and Kathy with the need to work harder. Our daughter Katie (16 yrs. old) has Complex Partial seizures. (they originate in the hippocampus area, that is important for short term memory). She has had them since the age of 9 months. She has a brother who is just one year behind in school and it is difficult for Katie to see Andrew not have to work as hard as she does. He excells over her in classes she struggles with. (Literature, Geometry, Vocabulary, writing...anything that involves word recall, spatial concepts and expressive writing). He whizzes through homework that Katie remembers taking her awhile to do. It is a small school, so they have had the same teachers for the same classes. We have spoken with Andrew about not being too "showy" infront of Katie with his grades, and he understands why. We do, however, make sure that Andrew knows how proud we are of him of his accomplishments, and reward him accordingly. It is a fine line to walk. Generally Katie is ok with it and understands why it takes a little more effort on her part. We have always been honest with her, in order to curb any ill feelings or frustration. Katie also sees kids in her class (size is 11 kids) pass notes during class and they get A's on tests. They are the top grade getters in the class, and it drives her nuts sometimes. She just can't figure out how they are able to pull off such good grades while not paying attention. I told her I don't have a clue how they do it other than the fact that people learn differently. Some are visual learners, others are audio learners, and some are both. Or, they're just plain lucky.
The test should provide you with lots of good info. It may shed light on things you never even thought of. Also, how many different things affect the outcome of others. I can NOW see why the testing is a little pricey...Good luck!
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know
The test should provide you with lots of good info. It may shed light on things you never even thought of. Also, how many different things affect the outcome of others. I can NOW see why the testing is a little pricey...Good luck!
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know
gavman
03-01-2004, 03:12 PM
Hi Kayakmom,
I'm hoping to get some of the same types of answers you got from the neuropsych. testing. It's so hard to know what is causing what. My son is off meds now as well. At least we can rule out medication side effects when he does have all the testing.
Thanks for your post. Always nice to hear from you because you have so much information and insight.
Take care,
Cris
I'm hoping to get some of the same types of answers you got from the neuropsych. testing. It's so hard to know what is causing what. My son is off meds now as well. At least we can rule out medication side effects when he does have all the testing.
Thanks for your post. Always nice to hear from you because you have so much information and insight.
Take care,
Cris
gavman
03-01-2004, 04:23 PM
Hi Vicki,
I think you and I must have posted at the same time. I didn't see your post before my last reply. Thank you for all the great insight. It is so helpful to hear from others in similar situations. I think my life will follow in your footsteps with regards to my son and his siblings. He is our third child (out of 4). We do find ourselves explaining that some things are just going to be easier for them or his classmates. He is just beginning to notice that type of thing. He gets quite sensitive about it. He gets frustrated. It is so hard to see your child struggle with things both physically and mentally that others just take for granted. The worst part is seeing your child being made fun of by others for not being able to do something as well (or at all) when you know that those children have no idea how hard my son is trying. His own siblings are guilty of this. That does not go over well with me (mother bear instincts!)My son has taught me so much, he has no idea. But at the same time, I'm finding that I have to be careful with him because he tries to get out of doing homework, etc... saying he just can't do it, doesn't understand it. Most of the time, he can do it, just takes some time, alot of effort, and concentration. He is not always in the mood for that much work (I can't blame him).
Thanks for your post. Hearing from you, I am that much more anxious to start this testing and get a better "picture".
Take Care,
Cris
I think you and I must have posted at the same time. I didn't see your post before my last reply. Thank you for all the great insight. It is so helpful to hear from others in similar situations. I think my life will follow in your footsteps with regards to my son and his siblings. He is our third child (out of 4). We do find ourselves explaining that some things are just going to be easier for them or his classmates. He is just beginning to notice that type of thing. He gets quite sensitive about it. He gets frustrated. It is so hard to see your child struggle with things both physically and mentally that others just take for granted. The worst part is seeing your child being made fun of by others for not being able to do something as well (or at all) when you know that those children have no idea how hard my son is trying. His own siblings are guilty of this. That does not go over well with me (mother bear instincts!)My son has taught me so much, he has no idea. But at the same time, I'm finding that I have to be careful with him because he tries to get out of doing homework, etc... saying he just can't do it, doesn't understand it. Most of the time, he can do it, just takes some time, alot of effort, and concentration. He is not always in the mood for that much work (I can't blame him).
Thanks for your post. Hearing from you, I am that much more anxious to start this testing and get a better "picture".
Take Care,
Cris
tkdmom96
03-01-2004, 10:15 PM
Hi Cris,
I was talking to Katie about the test...I forgot she even had a headache by lunch time because it was one thing after another. I think it was like that because of her age., so don't get alarmed! They do stuff on the computer, puzzles (different types), look at pictures to describe something (vocab), repetitive things (to check concentration), build things (spatial), math, writing, re-telling a story in detail, she did smething that was used to figure an outcome, these were some of things she mentioned.
After the test, the results are compiled and they ask you for a consultation. That is when you go over everything and learn/hear what is what. Bring a note book (notes), and ask with each question/section you go over, what class would this directly affect now and as we move forward. How will this affect a work situation? etc. It will give you the heads up on how to come up with coping strategies.
I wish your son all the best. Kids can be cruel, we know this first hand. It is hard to keep their heads up...we work at it every day... :angel:
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know
I was talking to Katie about the test...I forgot she even had a headache by lunch time because it was one thing after another. I think it was like that because of her age., so don't get alarmed! They do stuff on the computer, puzzles (different types), look at pictures to describe something (vocab), repetitive things (to check concentration), build things (spatial), math, writing, re-telling a story in detail, she did smething that was used to figure an outcome, these were some of things she mentioned.
After the test, the results are compiled and they ask you for a consultation. That is when you go over everything and learn/hear what is what. Bring a note book (notes), and ask with each question/section you go over, what class would this directly affect now and as we move forward. How will this affect a work situation? etc. It will give you the heads up on how to come up with coping strategies.
I wish your son all the best. Kids can be cruel, we know this first hand. It is hard to keep their heads up...we work at it every day... :angel:
Vicki
mom of Katie, the most courageous young lady I know