EEG's (esp. for children with ASD) - anyone with experience?

[cluttercup]

Ds (3) has to have an EEg and I'm wondering what to expect. Can anyone tell me briefly how they carry this out? To complicate matters DS hates being touched, particularly on the head/face (part of his ASD) and I'm wondering how on earth we will manage to get this EEG done.... Any help appreciated.

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We refused the EEG we were offered our ASD ds (3yrs at time) We were told we were being offered it as a routine procedure at point of diagnosis.

After discussion it was decided that they would not have actually been able to manage DS (low functioning / non verbal) or get accurate results.

Age 7 we "might" be able to manage one now but it has not been offered since and I wouldn't want to stress ds unless absolutely necessary.

Good luck!

If this had just been a routine part of diagnosis, I would have refused it like you. However ds has been having petit-mal like absences hence the referral. I just can't see it happening. It must be scary enough for a child who is able to be prepared for it...

This is my absolute dread, I don't think it would be possible with ds1.

A friend of mine's dd (ASD) had regular EEGs - she was quite verbal (but used to it because she'd had them since she was tiny).

Hows's your ds's understanding. Social stories? If you have time I'd try and do lots of sensory head touching- perhaps practice wearing a hat (although god knows how).

Cna you get quick access to an OT (falls off chair laughing I know what OT waiting lists are like).

Thanks Yurt1 - I notice you can always be relied upon for sensible suggestions! I will try the sensory stuff - in fact I have been doing incey wincey up and down ds's arms and head this afternoon which was almost tolerated. Ds has a very limited understanding of things outside of the home but I'm going to make an attempt. I have already called the EEG department to alert them and am waiting for them to get back so that I can ask for any tips.

I'm hoping this is all a storm in a tea cup but it isn't just me that has noticed these absences - they have been happening at pre-school.

It took the OT 6 months to complete the assessment but they were great when they did it. I might try and call them and see what they suggest. Thanks!

As an aside and abit of a hijack what do the absences look like? And how long do they last for? I've been wondering about ds3 and 2 other people have commented now, but I just don't know as they seem to happen so fast.

My ds seems to almost blank out. He sort of stares but no amount of waving, calling, rubbing his arm seems to bring him back. It lasts for about 20 seconds or so and then he's back. It's very difficult to describe but it's different from him concentrating intently. When he's concentrating, he gets very irked if you interrupt or try and distract.

Oh that's like ds3 except ds3 is for much shorter periods. More like 8 seconds.