Landau Kleffner Syndrome vs. Asperger's
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| Thu, 04-19-2007 - 1:12pm |
I just found this discussion thread and am hoping you might have some insight. My DS, now 4, has been assessed for a language delay. He is delayed in both expressive and receptive language, but not cognitive delays. He has been in a special ed preschool since he turned 3 for speech therapy. I have two autustic nephews, so I am familiar with some of the mannerisms associated with the diagnosis. My DS does clench his fists when he is very excited (kind of modified hand flappin). DS will have an EEG next monday to rule in or out Landau Kleffner Syndrome. Have any of you been through this long road to diagnosis? sometimes I feel like I am crazy and he's going to be just fine, but something keeps telling me something is different about him. I now have a 2-year old son who is developing much different than my 4-year old and more in line with other children I know. The comparisons make me even more suspicious than before. Any adivice or encouragement??? I could use it.
Thanks,
Layna

Hello Layna and welcome,
It took a long time for many of us to reach a diagnosis, and many have been through the process more than once, and had more than one diagnosis (correctly or incorrectly).
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
(((HUGS))) I had not heard of Landau Kleffner syndrome, however I did look it up and read about it. very interesting. The diagnosis road was long for us, we had a diffucult time getting anyone to hear our concerns until our son went to school. I'm glad you're early intervention.
glad you've found us... pull up a comfy chair and we'll pass the cyber cookies. the ladies here are a wealth of knowledge and so very helpful. Even if your son isn't on the autism specturm please keep up updated on his diagnosis. I find it very interesting all the overlap of symptoms and difficulties these different conditions have.
Betsy
Thank you so much for your reply. My DS has not seen a neuropsychologist or psychologist yet, but it was recommended at our last visit with the pediatric neurologist. We have been to a developmental pediatrician and a pediatric neurologist (that's who has ordered the EEG). I guess we are approximately 1+ years into this diagnosis path.
Grayson appears to be normal with the exception of his language and some mild autistic like mannerisms. He doesn't respond to his name very well and has a lot of trouble answering questions. He is bright, loves numbers, the alphabet, and I swear is a natural engineer always trying to figure out how things work. He seems to be delayed in some areas such as imaginary play, which he just recently started doing. I guess I didn't really think he was socially impaired because he is very outgoing and likes to give big hugs. I came to a realization a few months ago that his slow language development is a form of social impairment. This is such a learning process.
We've heard two separate professionals mention Asperger's as a potential diagnosis. The first came from his pediatrician after his language and cognitive assessments came back. The second time it was mentioned by his speech therapist. This is the first I've heard of Landau Kleffner Syndrome. I get pretty freaked out by all of these potential diagnoses, but then I look at by beautiful boy and am comforted by all of his gifts. If he has something to diagnose, we will just make sure he gets the best care and therapy to help him be the best he can be.
Thanks again,
Layna
Welcome to our little corner of cyberspace!
I had never heard of Landau Kleffner Syndrome either, but I looked it up...interesting.
With both of our spectrum kiddos the diagnosis process was long and tedious involving multiple docs, multiple opinions and multiple labels. In the end, our oldest (boy) is dx'd Aspergers and our youngest (girl) is dx'd Autism.
Honestly, if I were in your position (with the knowledge I have now, or course) I'd be grateful for their willingness to perform the EEG. Many spectrum kids have co-morbid epilepsy and I've often wondered of our daughter's "spacing out" are actually mini seizures.
Here's hoping you "hang around" and we get the chance to know you, and your family, better.
Amy
oh yeah, got alot of info for you.
My dd was first dx'ed on the spectrum but also has been tested for LKS. Officially her EEG "could not rule out epileptic aphasia" (another name for LKS). She does have a diagnosed seizure disorder in addition to her Aspergers but she is doing absolutely fabulous. Let me say that first and foremost. I also have another son who was evaluated for LKS but his was inconclusive. He is doing great as well.
The nice thing about LKS is that there is a treatment which often is quite effective (steroids) but we caught it a bit too late with cait, however, her brain decided to do most of the repair itself.
I will write mroe later but I thikn I smell dinner burning, lol.
Renee