ABR

our little girl is having  ABR test done due to her lsck of language developement she has been in speech theropy since march1,2000.  we started to go 3 times a weak in june due to lack of progress. m ost people fill she has a auditory processing disorder but are completely unfamilure with what my daughters dx is.(auditory agnosia)  it is like pure word deafness. and is sean in children who may have landen kleffner syndrome.  i was woundering if it is possible for her to LKS without a language loss she had her first siezure at 16mo after that she had a defeanet stop but not loss in language development that lasted clost to 6mo.  she did have about 20 words at 16mo and know has close to 70-80 which is great compared to where she was.  but is still unable to directually imitate what is said to her and has a very difficult time following basic directions such as get your cup,  katie stay.  i have 2 questions do you know what a ABR will show for example could it show why she has localizatation problems out of right ear?  and two is it p[osible for her to have LKS with a stop of new language development, and 3 normal eegs?  also what is the best whay to help improve understanding i can do at home with her to improve behavior and decrease her fustration?

any info at all would be great thanks:)

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Joanna,

Landau-Kleffner Syndrome is re;atively rare, and is characterized by both aphasia and an abnormal EEG (though some children with LKS do not display clinical sizures). The aphasia can occur suddenly or in a more gradual manner.

Thus, if you daughter's EEG's have been entirely normal, she does not meet one of the criteria for LKS. The condition can be difficult to diagnose, and can easily be regarded as a problem with auditory processing or some other form of learning disability. One of the significant aspects of a correct diagnosis is the implication re: medication. A child who only displays a problem with auditory processing, for example, is not a candidate for medication. A child who truly displays LKS, on the other hand, is likely to be prescribed medication. LKS is a neurological disorder.

I don't know what her diagnostic workup will show, relative to how specific it can be.

A child your daughter's age has a normal developmental thrust to expand their language and communication skills, so it can be quite frusrating when they encounter obstacles. A key requirement for you as a parent is to maintain your own equanimity and patience; this will help your daughter. Perhaps some of our readers who have a child who displays LKS will weigh in and mention how they cope with the day-to-day interactions with their children.