Petit mal

[gingwhing]

What are people's experience of petit mal. How can you stop it, diagnose it and does it affect your child in any way other way apart from the obvious absence. My ds is 4 years old is globally delayed (2yr old level) with so far no reason found. He has these very brief absences where he just stares into space and for that time it is very difficult to gain his attention. I have always put it down to the fact that it's always been difficult to gain his attention. Could it be linked to his delay? Am I just guilty of trying to find explanations where there aren't any? Your thoughts as always would be appreciated.

You'll probably find that it's not petit mal at all. My DS (Aspergers) did what you've described. He was sent for MRI and EEG. Both came back negative.
Some people call it 'zoning out'. It's just something that some people with autism do when they are overwhelmed with noise / thoughts / movement / lights / anything. It's almost as though they have to 'pause' to let their thoughts catch up. It's just caused by hypersensitivity.

Can't really explain what I mean but it's absolutely harmless.

If you think your DS is having absent seizures then you should go to GP and ask them to discuss and ask for referral to paediatrician in community so that they can investigate further.

Our DD had tonic clonic seizures to begin with so we never had a problem getting diagnosis for absent seizures that followed.

My DD will look vacant and sometimes drop head / concentrate on an object but will not respond to anything such as speaking to her or poking and prodding.

No evidence of autism he IS a sensory overload rather than being hypersensitive wetaugust, he is very busy, loveable and loud. He is already under a paed and is awaiting MRI but am I right in thinking thAt this is not the correct diagnostic tool. Will have to speak to paed but she is Incredibly busy with a long wait until our next app. Would like to arm myself with more info for that app

Sorry OP - I had assumed he had autism.

Ds has developed epilepsy in the last two years. I would say it has not lead to any delays, concentration yes, but no delay. He was dx initially with global delay when he was 3, later dx with HFA (at 4), came on hugely with portage so dropped the GDD.

Keeping a diary is very important as zzzz recommends, and helps to see if any patterns emerge.

just wanted to say my nephew was diagnosed with grand mal when about 2 and did have problem learning and was on medication for epilepsy upto I think about the age 8-9 not sure. But amazingly he has not had any absence moments I think since 5 and although he was having problem to learn he has catched up at the age of 9 and is now 12 and doing great at secondary school. He has no learning issues and no problems to concentrate I just wanted to share this with others.