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Suggest Remedy For Learning Disability In A Child With Epilepsy

Posted on Thu, 24 Dec 2015

Question: my boyfriend's daughter is 12 years old - she previously was diagnosed with epilepsy and treated and now is told she no longer has it or needs any treatment - she has some speech problems such as pronouncing her R etc. but my main concern is that she still cannot read or spell. She is in special ed classes but I have not seen any improvement in the last 2 years with her learning. She has not been tested for any other possible conditions but I am concerned since she is in 6th grade and will be in 7th next year

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need some details:

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX cline,
Thanks for being on HealthCareMagic .
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar, Neurologist, here to answer your query.

I would surely like to address your concerns at best,but I need to know a few details beforehand-

1)Is there any other deficit as well-except reading and spelling?Is her speech normal?Can she use her limbs well?

2)Since what age she was having seizures and at what age she had her last one?

3)Was her birth normal?

4)What about her milestones?Were they normal or they delayed as compared to her peers?

I shall be looking towards your follow up query with details so that I can answer this well.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (1 hour later)

I believe her birth was normal. I think her milestones were very delayed as well. I remember them saying she did not talk until she was older. She takes medication for adhd and diagnosed for that. She is very off balance a lot of the time and even falls down on occasion. Her seizures with the epilepsy started when she was 2 yrs old. She doesn't seem to smile naturally and sometimes will act up at not appropriate times once in a while. She is smart and has a good memory and understands well. She got her period when she was 10 yrs old and is about 136lbs and 5'5. Her last seizure was around 4-5 yrs old. She can write her name but I am not sure if she can spell much more or read. Starting to be able to tell time sometimes.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Neurological examination/MRI Brain.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX cline,
Thanks for being in follow-up and providing further details.

In this clinical background, it becomes important to physically examine the girl in order to establish the neurological deficits and thus formulating an approach to the diagnosis. However, with long term history of seizures and delayed milestones, there is a possibility that she may have some brain injuries. In my opinion, we should rule out brain insults first. Therefore she should be screened through MRI of Brain.

For now, I suggest you to take her to a neurologist for a physically examination. After examination,she is probable to be asked for a brain MRI and a psychiatrist's opinion as well.

If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (13 hours later)

The situation is somewhat complicated since her mother is the one that can make those decisions. But I do feel there is more to her problem then just that she is slow which is the reason that they use for her. At 12 years old and not being able to read or spell- would this be because of her epilepsy? Is this a common problem that happens normally? I am just wondering if with the proper help at school and outside of school with trained teachers if she would be able to learn or if this is something that kids with epilepsy just are not able to learn?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Proper diagnosis will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX cline,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Its not that children with epilepsy do not improve on mental grounds though surely,epilepsy can result in such mental deficits.

However,it is important to get her evaluated by a neurologist and a probable brain imaging, because proper diagnosis will help towards the management.
That's why,she must be taken to a neurologist,in person for a detailed examination.

If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

If that's for the day,please get back to me in case you have any query in future.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar