Abstracts

Rationale: Rationale: Adaptive behavior in children with epilepsy is an area that has received limited attention in the literature compared to other cognitive and emotional domains. However, adaptive behavior (the child's ability to function independently and effectively in multiple settings) is closely related to quality of life in children with epilepsy as well as for their caregivers. Better understanding of how epilepsy affects a child's adaptive behavior may lead to earlier and more specific interventions, improving quality of life over time. Methods: Methods: A consecutive sample of children referred for neuropsychological testing due to seizures was included in the present study. The sample consisted of 64 children with epilepsy (37 boys; 27 girls) who ranged from 5-16 years old (M=9.78). All parents completed the Behavior Assessment Scales for Children (BASC) as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological examination. Information about seizure history and treatment was obtained in a clinical interview with the parents, and retrospective chart review. The mean age of seizure onset was 5.92; average duration of seizure disorder was 4.04 years. Results: Results: Linear regression was performed, with epilepsy (age of onset, seizure status within previous year) and treatment variables (number of AEDs) as predictors of the Adaptive Skills Composite, and Social, Leadership, and Adaptability subscales on the BASC. Seizure variables accounted for 23% of the variance (p=.043) on the Adaptive Skills Composite. Age of onset (p=.034) was the best single predictor. For the social skills subscale, only age of onset and number of AED's contributed to the model, which accounted for 32% of the variance (p=.009). Seizure variables did not predict the adaptability or leadership subscales of the BASC adaptive skills composite. Conclusions: Conclusions: Adaptive behavior deficits were associated with earlier age at seizure onset, particularly social skills, suggesting that seizures interfere with a child's acquisition of basic skills for daily living. Deficits in adaptive behavior that impact quality of life begin early in the course of seizure disorder due to the disruption of normal function during critical periods for acquisition of social skills, as well as developing independence in basic activities of daily living. These findings provide further support for social and behavior interventions in children with seizures as soon as seizures are diagnosed.