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Behavior of children with seizures. Comparison with norms and effect of seizure type
M G Aman1, J S Werry, S H Turbott
1Nisonger Center, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210-1296.
Insights
Children with well-controlled seizures show comparable or better behavior than peers on teacher reports, but parents perceive more problems. Seizure type also influences behavior ratings.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neurology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Children with epilepsy often exhibit behavioral issues, impacting their daily lives.
- Understanding these behavioral differences is crucial for effective intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare problem behaviors in children with well-controlled seizures to normative data.
- To investigate the influence of seizure type, age, and sex on behavior problems in children with epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Conners' Teacher Rating Scale and Revised Behavior Problem Checklist for behavior assessment.
- Compared behavior scores of 112 children (aged 6-12) with well-controlled seizures to established norms.
- Examined behavioral correlates of age, sex, and seizure type in a larger cohort of 133 children.
Main Results:
- Teachers rated children with seizures as comparable or superior in behavior on certain scales compared to norms.
- Parents rated children with seizures as having significantly more behavior problems across all assessed domains.
- Children with partial seizures were perceived as slightly more aggressive and antisocial than those with generalized seizures.
Conclusions:
- Discrepancies exist between teacher and parent perceptions of behavior in children with epilepsy.
- Seizure type may play a role in the manifestation of specific behavior problems.
- Further research is needed to understand the complexities of behavior in pediatric epilepsy.
Abstract:
Scores for 112 children aged 6 to 12 years, with well-controlled seizures and of average or higher IQ, were compared for problem behavior with established norms. As assessed on the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale, the group with seizures was comparable to the normative group on two subscales and superior on two others. In contrast, parents of children in the seizure group rated them as significantly worse on all six subscales of the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. In a larger group of 133 children with seizures, from which this sample was selected, the relationship of age, sex, and seizure type to behavior problems was examined. Subjects with partial seizures were rated as slightly more aggressive and antisocial than those with generalized seizures. Findings were discussed in regard to differences in perception of behavior by parents and teachers and the possible relevance of seizure type to the expression of behavior problems.