I know that many of us already have an advanced and in-depth understanding of motor skills and how delayed skills can negatively impact everyday life.  When I consider the future independence my children will hopefully have, I begin to think of the many skills we still have to work on. 

I’m always looking for new, fun and cool ways to incorporate working on my children’s special needs in everyday life.  I don’t have time for forty more hours of therapy per week and neither do they, so making the most out of every minute at home is my best, and preferred, method.

I haven't told anyone, but for the past week myself and my two sons have been taking a handful of these pills a day, and the results are tremendous.

Ian's eye contact is near perfect and, when he makes eye contact, his eyes are very, very clear (but not glassy like they can often appear).  His skin is more pink, and the dark circles under his eyes are lighter.  Most of all- and I've been keeping track all week- he is using words never before used and is starting up conversations - appropriate conversations using new words!

Once a diagnosis of epilepsy is made, the next step is to decide how to treat it. These days, there are several treatment options for epilepsy.

In a few cases, avoiding a known trigger for seizures may prevent them. However, you may not be able to avoid all seizure triggers—and avoiding them may not completely eliminate seizures. Many factors that can trigger seizures include:

For those of you who haven’t seen the film 1998 ‘First Do No Harm’ starring Meryl Streep I warn you now, get your hankie ready before you watch this.

The film tells the story of a family’s struggle with their son Robbie’s epilepsy and a mother’s refusal to accept the abuse that the medical system foists upon them before it abandons Robbie.

Neurofeedback Therapy is a non-invasive technique which has been shown to improve brain function and reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in epilepsy sufferers. 

Having a child with epilepsy and autism has been the biggest challenge of my life. I have a great story to share with other parents because despite the daily difficulties we faced, after 6 failed medications, I found two alternative treatments that I did not know existed that changed my son’s life forever.

As some of you will know, I've worked in learning disabilities and mental health care for a long time {they won't let me go waaah!}
But if I can just share with you the story of one lad I looked after for a while.
This lad was having Grand Mal seizures at least twice a day that were causing a dreadful degree of brain damage and the Doctors were seriously looking at a leucotomy {severing the connections between each side of the brain} in order to try and bring these under control before the brain damage became irrevocably severe.

Most parents seeking treatment for their epileptic children have found their choices in treating their child's epilepsy are quite limited, if given any choice at all. Specialists often present the treatment of medication as the ONLY method of treatment, and parents might even feel bullied into accepting medications. While anti-convulsive medications do work well for treating many children, there are other effective treatments available.

Remember- Mother's Outrank Everyone!
 
If you have a child with epilepsy and the drugs simply are not working, you are likely searching for answers.  However, answers can be difficult to come by and that is why Arlene Martell wrote a book for mother’s who are dealing with this specific challenge.  Her E-book, Getting Adam Back, is an uplifting story that instills hope through her rendition about hers and her son's own personal triumph over epilepsy and autism.