Behavioral Seizures

I work in a mild moderate self contained special education classroom.  We have a 15 year old girl with Downs Syndrome, I know that Downs Syndrome persons can be stubborn, but. we have a problem.  This little girl has these episodes where she misbehaves as in she will not get off the school bus.  She also will not leave school when it is time to go home, She seems to get into these episodes and then when she is asked what is really bothering her she says some problems.  She seems to come out of these episodes gradually, they do not seem to be something that she is using to manipulate.  She really seems to not know what is happening.  Could she be having mini seizures that cause this kind of behavior or could she just be stubborn or worse yet, spoiled.  I want to think that there is a medical reason as she is usually a very sweet little girl and nothing seems to trigger these episodes off.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Jodi,

The fact that you are able to associate these episodes with particular circumstances indicates that they are not representative of seizure activity. My guess is that the behavior reflects this girl's difficulties at moments of transition, and the best approach will be to establish a behavior modification program, with incentives, to encourage appropriate leavetaking.

[Jodi]

Thanks for your prompt reply, I will try what you suggested I will let you know what happens.  I hope it works, she really is a sweetheart.

[serenity712]

A related discussion, behavioral seizures was started.