Childhood Epilepsy
Language, Learning and Behavioural Complications

This book looks at why children with epilepsy often have language and behavior complications and assesses treatments.

William B. Svoboda (Author)

9780521823388, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 4 March 2004

672 pages
25.5 x 18 x 4 cm, 1.629 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The author provides an excellent overview of literature relating to the topic. He successfully adds to current understanding by adopting a holistic approach in his attempt to promote an awareness of some of the complications experienced by a significant number of children with epilepsy. A well-written, evidence based book, which will appeal to epilepsy nurse specialists and other neuroscience nurses with a developing interest and knowledge in childhood epilepsy.' British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

More than half the numbers of children with epilepsy have interrelated language, learning and/or behavior complications. By adulthood, these problems can interfere with socialization and employment. The seizures may be controlled but the developmental distortions can continue to present problems for health and education systems and carers. In this comprehensive and fully referenced book, William Svoboda distils a lifetime of clinical experience with childhood epilepsy into three areas which address each of the main areas of difficulty. In each he looks at why the problems arise and assesses diagnostic and remediative approaches. The focus is on the whole care of the child rather than on diagnosis, classification and medication alone. Clinicians, mental health practitioners, educators and speech–language pathologists will find this book invaluable.

Preface
Glossary
1. Looking ahead
Part I. Speech and Language Problems: 2. Language: the challenge
3. Speech, language, and communication
4. Speech and language problems in epilepsy
5. Seizure types and speech and language risks
6. Language regressions with epilepsy syndromes
7. Other epilepsy language syndromes
8. Seizure-management effects
9. Evaluation of speech and language problems
10. Management of speech and language problems in epilepsy
11. Behavior consequences
Part II. Learning Problems: 12. Learning challenges
13. The development of learning
14. Learning difficulties
15. Learning problems with seizure types
16. Modifying factors
17. Transient cognitive impairments of epilepsy
18. Attention and alertness
19. Memory
20. Executive functioning
21. Academics
22. Antiepileptic medication effects
23. Effects of other therapies
24. Diagnosis
25. Gaining help
26. Frustrations of learning problems
Part III. Behavior Problems: 27. Mental health needs
28. Psychologic development
29. Seizure types and modifying factors
30. Overview: extrinsic factors
31. Behavior problems: general
32. Attention deficit disorders
33. Anxiety disorders
34. Mood disorders
35. Disruptive behavior problems
36. Psychoses of epilepsy
37. Non-epileptic events
38. Possible treatment issues
39. Helping with psychiatric problems
Epilogue
Index.

Subject Areas: Paediatric medicine [MJW], Neurology & clinical neurophysiology [MJN]