Does anyone have any experience of Petit mal ( absence seizures) in children

[Spotsbeforemyeyes]

DD is 12. Has DX Asperger's in case it's relevant.
Today she told me that 3 times this week these "blank" episodes keep happening. She's tried to explain and says it's Ike she can't hear or see anything around her but it's not black. She doesn't know how long she's gone for but guesses around 30 seconds.

There's nothing to warn her and no pain or anything after. When she comes back she has no recollection of what happened during the time, it's just missing.

I've googled and come up with absence seizures. Wondered if anyone has experience. Obviously I'll make a gp appointment but won't get seen until next week I imagine.
Thank you

I would phone gp tomorrow and ask for a same day appointment. I wouldn't be happy waiting until next week.

Ds has moderate autism and was referred to the epilepsy clinic for falling often as apparently this can be a symptom of drop attacks but he doesn't have epilepsy thankfully after being checked, but the neurologist did say epilepsy is more common in Asd children.

Also the neurologist did say with my son to expect vacant stares etc as he has moderate autism he is quite often (sorry to sound rude) on his own little planet and does stare off into space so that's nothing unusual with my ds.

Hope it's nothing, although it does sound like it fits with what you said in my opinion.

Hope you get app as soon as poss.

I’m sure someone will be along shortly with more knowledge than me - but we suspected DS5 was having absence seizures as he would have these blank episodes where it looked like he was tuning out from the world. We saw a great neurologist and he had a couple of ECGs but showed up nothing (separately we’ve been looking into Aspergers / ADD with him and she suggested that can also present with absences that look like petit mal - so I don’t know if that’s link).

One thing she did was get him to blow repeatedly against a piece of paper she held in front of his face - in the majority of cases where it is petit mal this will prompt an absence. It didn’t happen with DS and then the ECG backed it up. He also wasn’t having frequent enough absences for it to petit mal either.

We were really panicked but found some great knowledge on line and on these boards as well as at the clinic. There seems to be a link with autism / adhd and absences more generally. Our GP was super helpful (Although we have private healthcare so did see neurologist privately) I’m sure you’ll get some answers soon.

Oh we have private healthcare, I forget about it because it's with DH company but I'll give them a ring tomorrow, may as well use it.

She understands her Autism quite well but said this is new and indescribable so could fit.

Do you think it's irresponsible to get her to do the blowing thing? I don't want her to come to any harm?

Thank you for your responses

DH says this constitutes an urgent same day appointment with gp.

Sorry i didn’t come back sooner

Yes you should try and get to see GP asap

I was freaked out by the hyperventilation / blowing test but the neurologist explained that the absence seizures themselves do not cause any damage per se and without being able to see a seizure happening it’s very difficult for them to diagnose it. In the ECG they also did the same and used lights to bring on an absence too. I would try it if you are concerned.

If you are in London I can give you the details of our neurologist she was great

Also try and keep a diary or track of when she has these absences as that will be useful. And try and film it happening as well if you can

Our DS was tested for petit mal epilepsy - he also has ASD. He had two EEG tests - one for an hour and one overnight. Definitely worth pursuing ASAP.

Thank you. We have a gp appointment for next week. I've emailed her teacher and asked her to look out for what might seem like her not paying attention and to try and note down anything should it happen.

She didn't have an episode yesterday but had 2 today at school. Doesn't appear to be a trigger that we can identify as yet.

Bobbybobbins was your ds diagnosed with it?

Fridaseyebrows do you have medication? I'm midlands but thank you

@Spotsbeforemyeyes

No - it was all clear. His brain waves are a little slow. His absences have become less as he has got older.