Behavioral psychology measurement methods helped assess antiepileptic drug behavioral side effects in five individuals with mental retardation who could not verbally communicate presence of side effects. When the suspected antiepileptic drug was altered, an 81% reduction of maladaptive behaviors occurred. The measurement methods enabled systematic…

Various aspects of epilepsy were studied in 78 children with mental retardation from 1989-1994. Epilepsy remained uncontrolled in 28% of cases, two-year remission was achieved by 26 percent, and mortality was 12% during the study period. Associated cerebral palsy was the most important single risk factor for severe epilepsy. (Author/CR)

A study compared the cost of caring for 50 institutionalized persons with developmental disabilities and epilepsy with 50 individuals with developmental disabilities. Costs attributable to epilepsy were found to be approximately $825.00 and $918.00 per person over a six-month period. Personnel, drugs, hospitalization, and laboratories/procures…

This response supports previous findings by describing the experiences of the Wentham Developmental Center. This center found switching from Depakene to generic valproic acid was not associated with any change in the number of epileptic seizures. The occurrence of adverse gastrointestinal effects of valproic acid is addressed. (CR)

Medical records of residents of a facility for persons with mental retardation from January 1, 1978, through December 31, 1997, were analyzed to identify incidence of sudden unexpected death for 180 individuals with and 125 without comorbid epilepsy. Eighty deaths were identified, with 55 occurring in those with epilepsy. (Contains 15 references.)…

Recurring seizures in infants and children are often associated with cognitive deficits, but the reason for the learning difficulties is unclear. Recent studies in several animal models suggest that seizures themselves may contribute in important ways to these deficits. Other studies in animals have shown that recurring seizures result in…

The purpose of this review article is to describe the clinical data linking autism with sleep and epilepsy and to discuss the impact of treating sleep disorders in children with autism either with or without coexisting epileptic seizures. Studies are presented to support the view that sleep is abnormal in individuals with autistic spectrum…

Recent findings raised evidence that in early-onset left temporal lobe epilepsy, women show greater functional plasticity for verbal memory than men. In particular, women with lesion- or epilepsy-driven atypical language dominance show an advantage over men. The question asked in this study was whether there is evidence of sex- and language…

Background: Few studies have looked at the very long-term outcome of individuals with autism who were diagnosed in childhood. Methods: A longitudinal, prospective, community-based follow-up study of adults who had received the diagnosis of autism (classic and atypical) in childhood (n = 105) was conducted. A structured interview (the Diagnostic…

Epilepsy is one of the most common diseases to affect the human nervous system, affecting approximately 0.5% of school-age children (Leppik, 2001; Kaleyias et al., 2005). Epilepsy has the potential to profoundly impact a child's adjustment to school. A large body of literature documents that children with epilepsy are at an increased risk for…

One of a series of children's books written from the point of view of an elementary grade child with a disability or other problem, the stories emphasize the similarities in childhood experience while providing information specific to the disability. In this book, fifth-grader Brian, who has epilepsy, finds that his misconceptions about a funeral…

Research is reviewed on epilepsy and findings summarized in terms of intelligence, relationship between etiology and intelligence, seizure frequency, age of onset, duration, premorbid intelligence, and specific psychological defects, electroencephalography (EEG) and IQ, and learning. Among findings noted are that the widespread belief among…

The booklet is designed to help people interested in babysitting for children with special needs. A brief explanation of each of the four disabilities covered by this guide (autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental retardation) is followed by a checklist designed to elicit information on practical issues from parents, such as communication…

GRADES OR AGES: Grades 7-9. SUBJECT MATTER: First aid and survival education. ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL APPEARANCE: The guide is divided into five sections: bandaging skills, control of bleeding, conditions caused by extremes in temperatures, foreign substances in body openings, and other common emergencies. The publication format of four columns…