Researching Autism, Talents and Epilepsy

As my daughter's disabilities and talents progressed, so did the amount of her challenges. We noticed she began to have epilepsy-like episodes about two hours after she went to bed. Off to the Neurologist for a consultation.... His impression was generalized epilepsy, and he started her on her first round of anti-epileptics. The medication worked and did not seem to affect the talents my daughter had.

While speaking with other Mom's and researching epilepsy, it became obvious to me that there was a high probability of autism plus epilepsy.

We made an appointment with a very well respected Doctor at a large teaching hospital with a special epilepsy unit. My daughter was evaluated and the Doctor's impression was Partial Complex Seizures. She also was experiencing focal seizures(like daydreaming).

For a few years my daughter's seizure activity was stable. Then puberty hit and her seizures returned on a daily basis. The Doctor increased her medication, but she still had to be careful.

No riding her bike, no swimming and adult supervision was necessary.

She replaced the activities with more painting, drawing and knitting.

Her interest in advocacy became strong, as she witnessed her classmates in school.

After attending a Conference, along with the break-out sessions she knew what her goal was.

My daughter has been working on becoming a Motivational Speaker for People with Invisible Disabilities.

Autism Explosion?

When my third child was born, I knew within the first few weeks that she was different from my other two. She was full-term, but I had a complicated delivery.
We had a difficult time consoling her, and at that time we had no clue about sensory integration.
She slept for short periods, had "radar" hearing, and just didn't cuddle up to us like the older children. Pediatrician's told us she would grow out of it, family was careful to say too much. There were times I questioned myself. But, when she had her Pre-K screening, my thoughts were validated....it was bittersweet. I had no idea what I was in for regarding school issues and therapies for her challenges. Those years were a whirlwind. behind the challenges, I saw a very talented child. She appreciated the joy's in life, and seemed to bask in the beauty of nature's colors. By fifth grade, her Art teacher helped her bloom. She began drawing, painting, and creating objects which were way ahead of her classmates. By seventh grade we knew she had a true gift. During her High School years she continued to express herself through her Art. People were amazed at her talent, and her modesty. More......