Who's Right?!

[mlbk2010]

Ok, I have a two year ols boy. On 04/10/2009, he had three seizures in one day. My husband and I along with our son spent Easter weekend at Riley Children's Hospital. The Dr.s' found no cause for the seizures. He has been put on Keppra and the Generic brand ever since. Me and my husband will both admit that he does not get the medicine like he should. My husband just says that because of him not getting the med like he should that the reason he is acting the way he is. He will barely eat. When he does, he puts it in his nouth but then spits it back out after feeling how it feels and tastes. He gets a very bad temper. Constantly wants his cup. He won't drink water. he hits and kicks other people and kids. I could go on and on but after looking at some other symptoms and hearing from others I think he is austistic. Can someone help me out?!?!?!?!

[Jessica L Thomason Sassi, Ph.D., BCBA-D]

Autism spectrum disorders are characterized by deficits in language and social interaction and restricted interests or repetitive patterns of behavior.  It doesn’t sound as though he meets these diagnostic criteria, although in-person evaluation by a professional is necessary to rule in or out any disorder.  It sounds as though your primary concern is his problem behavior, and I’d look to treat his problem behavior with consistency in both how you deal with his behavior and his medication.  Although I’m not aware of any information that suggests inconsistency in Keppra delivery would actually cause problem behavior, it’s extremely important for his health that he get the medication as prescribed by his doctor.  Further, antiepileptic medications are frequently helpful in managing behavior problems, but only if they are delivered consistently (so improving the med consistency might actually help, rather than hurt, his problem behavior).
My advice would be to pursue help with addressing his problem behaviors.  A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will help you identify strategies to help reduce those problematic behaviors and teach more adaptive responses, regardless of your child's diagnosis.  A local BCBA can be found at the following website: http://www.bacb.com/consum_frame.html

[nikkinblaik]

Keppra is known for making kids aggrasive, down right mean. depikote helps control seizures and moods, but makes it very hard for a child to learn. it also causes hair loss and weught gain. lemictol causes all types of problems. if medication is working, check out the ketogenic diet, or the vagus nerve stimulator. i know this information from personal experience. my son hase been on six medications, all without seizure control. i know it's hard but stick in there. everything has a way of working itself out. many forms of childhood epilepsy can be outgrown. good luck.

[cetta5]

If you have read about autism it is a marked impairment in social, communication and the presence of a repetitive behavior.  How is his speech, is he talking?  It appears the onset of his seizures were when he was one year old.  Did anyone at the hospital back in 2009 refer you to a neurologist for the seizures? What does your pediatrician say?  You should look at some of the screening tests like the m-chat to see if there red flags for autism.  I am not a doctor but assuming the side effects of NOT taking the meds is "not eating" and "temper tantrums" is an assumption i wouldn't make.  I would take him to a professional.  If you are worried, you need to act and not sit and take the wait and see approach.  There are good professionals who can help you get intervention services he may need even if he doesn't have an autism diagnosis.  He sounds like he has sensory issues with food and there are OT professionals who that as well.
Hope this helps a little.  I know this is a worriesome time but get the right help and you will get the right answers. Listening to others thoughts are ok but you need to seek out the professionals who are experienced and qualified & trust your motherly instincts.