Is my daughter having some form of seizures?? Autism?

Question

I have a one year old daughter (two on Halloween) who is academically advanced for her age. She has exceptional memory and learned her alphabet in a week! She counts to ten and has known her shapes and colors before she was a year and a half. I mean ALL of them. Even before she could say them she would identify them when asked. Not long ago, I also noticed something unusual about her behavior. She would lie on the floor (hardwood) face down and stiffen all her body parts. She would stare off and not respond when spoken to. I assumed this was just a game she was playing. She did seem to come to consciousness when interrupted and often expressed frustration. (that I was interrupting) Now it has gradually become very frequent. She grunts (as though she is trying to hold her breathe) while pointing her toes and clenching her fists.She holds her arms straight down against her body while pointing her toes. She stiffens her head posture and stares off. Again she tells me "NO!" when I disrupt her. Many times I will catch her doing this and she has broken into a sweat. Her father insists she is exercising.....but I wonder. It has become very frequent and I am starting to worry.

Answer 1

Take her to the doctor.

That really doesn't seem normal for a one year old.

Maybe it has something to do with how smart she is?

I don't think it's seizures, my brother suffered from those a lot before he died. it doesn't seem like seizures.

Get the doctors attention.

Answer 2

All geniuses are susceptible to autism.  According to Bettelheim, precociousness at birth is actually a drawback, because the trauma of birth is intensified in babies who are born wide awake.  It makes them want to go back in the womb. That's why all geniuses are sort of odd.

They are prone to take any anxiety-generating situation really hard and regress.  When a truly gifted child reaches 14 months, it's equivalent to a normal child during the so-called terrible twos.  It's a critical stage of psycho-sexual and cognitive development-- a time of hightened anxiety.

At this point you must be really careful not to correct her or act upset at her behavior.  Let her do as she wishes, so long as she doesn't harm herself or others.  These conniptions are not neurological events.  They are psychological defenses against external reality.  If you play this wrong--if you try to destroy your child's defenses--she will be is in danger of collapsing into full-blown autism.  Check out Floor Time for how to do it.  http://www.floortime.org/ft.php?page=A%2...

Answer 3

Sounds like hyperlexia.  The problem with hyperlexia is that its not a common form of autism, so you won't find much on it.  But basically a child is advanced in numbers and letters, and loves them.  They appear as geniuses, but the problem is at about 3 they seem to be behind in speech, even though they can write sentences.  And also about 3, they don't show a liking for other people much, and may ignore everyone but their parents.  At about 4, 5, or 6, they really start to regress socially and do many repetitive behaviors, leaving them struggling to fit into mainstream.  They may be super smart, but they are not able to function in a regular classroom.  

Odditities don't usually show much at 1.  Does she line up toys, and not play with them, preferring to play with numbers and letters?  Does she act indifferent around other children and to strangers, not smiling in reaction to someone she knows?  Does she seem quite content to play in her own little world and not get into things like 1 and 2 year olds usuallly do?  Does she come to you when you call her?

I have heard of seizures like you are describing, and there is a name for them.  The child appears semi-aware of things.  I would research symptoms of hyperlexia and see if that fits your daughter.  Know that my children no longer have autism, nor seizures.  Its caused by pathogens and toxins in the brain.  Its complicated, but its totally reversible.  Thus, don't fret.  But you will have to research.  

Answer 4

This sounds very unusual for a one year old. I think it would be a good idea to see a doctor about this and get an assessment. She might have some form of autism or maybe something else. Whatever it is, if something is wrong it is better to find out about it now than later, so that you can start early intervention if suitable.

Answer 5

The best thing you can do is take her to a neurologist.  You might have to have a referal so let her GP know how she is "acting".  There could be something that is misfiring in her brain.  Sounds like it could be a type of seizure.  Then again, it could be many things.  Ive been told of what I do during a seizure and some of the things she is experiencing is what happens to me.  I have Grand Mal seizures. But you will not be able to find out anything unless you take her for an exam.  They have tests that can figure out what is happening to her.  I hope everything turns out Ok for your daughter.  Good Luck  

Answer 6

That doesn't sound like exercising....  I would talk to your public schools early childhood dept.  (if they have one.....which they should)  Also talk to the doctor if you think its seizures.  The way she is learning everything so fast might be a sign of Autism, but I wouldn't know without meeting her!

Answer 7

I think you are right to question this behaviour.

It could just be a habit she has developed, but it could also be some sort of neurological event. It's impossible to say without knowing your daughter and doing a full examination.

I think you would be wise to take her to your family doctor or a pediatrician. I would also start to write down how often you notice her doing this, and note any other behaviours that you think are unusual for her age.

I don't think there's anything to be gained by interrupting her in this activity, though. Let it run its course for now, unless she is doing it at in inappropriate time or place.