Are Blank Stares A Symptom Of Autism, Or Absence Seizures? | MyAutismTeam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About MyAutismTeam
Powered By
Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
Are Blank Stares A Symptom Of Autism, Or Absence Seizures?
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭

So the more I read about 1 in 4 kids with autism also having seizures and the more I read about Absence Seizures the more I wonder if part of what I think of as a symptom of autism is really tiny seizures. So questions for you all. Does your autistic child just stare off into space and fail to answer sometimes. If so, have they been diagnosed with some sort of seizure disorder?

posted March 14, 2014
•
View reactions
A MyAutismTeam Member

My daughter doesn't respond sometimes so people assume she doesn't hear them. I always check to see if she hears me by asking her to touch a part of her body if she hears me. She usually touch the named body part but I'm surprised how many professionals don't do something like this to eliminate the possibility she simply can't comprehend what she's hearing.

posted March 15, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

Thanks. I've been wondering for quite some time if I should have her tested. She doesn't seem to have tics. Just sometimes she's just not there for brief periods.

posted August 15, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

My son (19 yr) slips into millisecond catatonia every now and then, where it feels like he is in his own world, unresponsive. At times, he flaps his hands and has very obvious facial tics and expressions which to a stranger might look like he was undergoing some kind of a traumatic event. These are all seizures of some form. I had a Genomind DNA assay done on him and turns out that he has a mutation in the CACNA1C gene that causes the voltage in his calcium ion channels (required for regulating neurotransmitter) to fluctuate resulting in the periodic "surges" of electrical activity (seizures).

Different people react differently to these electrical abnormality. My son grimaces (out of obvious discomfort). which then to the lay person looks like a "tic". Some people might tolerate it silently, like they were in shock..

The Genomind report is excellent. It tells you exactly which medications are good and bad.

He is on an anti-epileptic (@Depakote) and other therapeutic supplements and seems to be calmer and less moody and has been employed at Taco Bell for the last 2 months..

posted July 20, 2017 (edited)
A MyAutismTeam Member

My daughter has non epileptic seizures where she literally zones out from the world around her. Docs say she cant control them..all we can do is psychotherapy. When i see her start to zone i try and redirect her either oht of thr situation thats too much..or into another situation with more stimulai.

posted March 18, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

I know several child with autism that also have epilepsy (absence seizures). My son did have starting spells and stop in the middle of an action, he had an initial e.e.g and it was negative (as the neurologist said ti would be as the almost always are unless having near constant seizures)…had issues with rescheduling additional tests..going to a different neurologist at the end of this month… it is always a good idea to look into e.e.gs in my opinion if there are staring spells or twitches.

posted March 15, 2014

Related content

View All
Looking For The Best Program For Adult With Autism In Northern Virgina
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Aba
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
My Daughter Is Getting An EEG Done And I Wanted To Know Symptoms Your Child Experienced And What Is This Test Like?
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Your privacy is our priority. By continuing, you accept our Terms of use and Privacy policy.
Already a Member? Log in