Re: Fits of uncontrollable laughter

[Guest guest]

I dont know if its similar or not, but I know an autistic girl that is pretty

alert and " with it " and very silly and laughing and active

at 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Her mother came to the conclusion that it is something to

do with sensory overload and SI issues. I dont

know how or why she believed it, but I remember her mentioning it before. I'd

be curious to know if any others with SI

difficulties also experience something similar.

Best wishes

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for writing! I keep posting about this to other lists but I never

get any response :-) Thank you!

Our Jul has a history of severe SI issues. Over the last 3 years, she had

recovered to the point where she is happily able to participate in all our

regular family activities (with very minimal modifications). She does,

however do a lot of bouncing and rocking at certain times. Mostly, we are

able to redirect her if it goes on for too long but again, it does not

interfer with regular family and community activities. It gets pretty bad

at school (what we call " aggressive stimming " and we are seriously

considering homeschooling her in the very near future because of such).

Please, I hope that anyone with input will post. It just might be a clue

for our girl.

Dana in Michigan

rodgers@...

> I dont know if its similar or not, but I know an autistic girl that is

pretty alert and " with it " and very silly and laughing and active

> at 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Her mother came to the conclusion that it is

something to do with sensory overload and SI issues. I dont

> know how or why she believed it, but I remember her mentioning it before.

I'd be curious to know if any others with SI

> difficulties also experience something similar.

>

> Best wishes

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

I don't know if autism is going on with your daughter, but I was

wondering if you had considered looking into some of the biomedical

options that are becoming more understood and more available? Many

children with autism spectrum issues are responding so well to

dietary and other biomedical interventions. Children without the

diagnosis, but with some of the characteristics do respond in many

cases.

Our daughter does not have microtia but she does have many issues

that were caused at 20-40 days gestation and include misshappen and

small ears. I assume that the microtia may have originated at a

similar time period in gestation.

For the laughter, it does sound as if the neurotransmitters may be

reacting more at certain times and there is a chance that the Omega 3

fatty acids can help with improving the way the neurotranmitters

actually work. I would certainly think sensory-integration therapy

could be a really appropriate option.

I would also check with a neurologist about the laughter. My

daughter does a similar thing but it is greatly reduced in the last

couple of years. I guess what comes to mind is that for some reason

maybe the medicine that is helping your daughter may be too much at

certain times of day depending on other factors affecting her, such

as blood sugar and so on. Perhaps there is a way to regulate it so

the medicine, if it is in fact connceted, has an even absorption by

giving at a different time of day.

I have found Dr. Walsh at The Pfeiffer Treatment Center in

Chicago area to have some interesting theories about autism and you

may find them of interest as well. He thinks some of my daughter's

medical issues may be related to the biochemical issues that put her

somewhere on the autism spectrum.

Best wishes,

--

[Guest guest]

Could be a Gelastic seizure, even if she does appear to be with it.

My daughter Lindsey age 5.6 has what we suspect are gelastic seizures.

But Lindsey is also a very silly girl, who laughs inappropriately. She laughs

so hard she cannot stand at the same time.

If your daughter has not had a 24 hour EEG, I think she should have one. Just

to see what is happening when she has her laughing fits.

Just a Mom that's been there.

Jennie

Lindsey's site

http://lindsey03.homestead.com/mygirl.html

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

My son also has fits of uncontrollable laughter. It has been known

to go on for 2 or more hours. He is 2.4 years old and I have not seen it

lately. It happened usually in the evening hours and he never could stop. This

was before we knew he had any other problems other than speech delay and we

thought he was just extremely happy. In fact, one time I even jokingly asked my

husband if he had ever heard of any kind of disorder that had to do with

laughing. We are currently seeing a neuro for medical tests looking into the

possiblities of seziures with Chris. He does this eye fluttering thing alot and

sometimes dazes out for 10-15 seconds a few times a day.. We do not have any

conclusions yet. He is nonverbal and has a few strange signs ( lines up toys-

hand flapping) he also seems to be lacking on the social side a bit. We know

he has some sensory issues too.

Let me know what you find out. I will be interested to follow this post.

I am so glad to have found this group. Up until now, I have not found any means

of a support group anywhere and this group has been the best!!!

Stacey

[ ] Fits of uncontrollable laughter

Hi Everyone,

After participating in many lists since our daughter arrived, I have to say

this one is the best. I'm particularly touched by the number of medical

professionals offering insight. It's so helpful (not to mention

refreshing:-)

In short, our oldest daughter, is six years old tomorrow. Jul joined

our family through adoption when she was 2 years 10 months. I think I

mentioned in my intro that she has congenital bilaterial microtia resulting

in a severe hearing loss.

She's been evaluated *extensively* over the last 3 years(developmental ped,

psychologists, neurologist, SLP, OT, PT, etc).

Anyhow, Jul is non-verbal with significant self-stimming behaviors and a

significant congnitive delay as well. Her dx is severe apraxia and global

aphasia (with hearing loss of course). In addition to SuperNuThera, she's

also on Prozac -- primarily to improve her severe wakefullness and overall

attention. It's helped tremendously with virtually no side effects.

(Interestingly, we did not see any difference between 2ml per day and 5ml

per day -- she's 37lbs and been on Prozac almost a year).

Ok, finally to my question .... About 6 weeks ago, started having

these uncontrollable fits of laughter and " sillyness " . It starts between

about 6-8pm and lasts about 1 hour or perhaps a bit more. From talking with

her teachers, it also seem to occur at school, though we've never seen it

during the day at home. It's almost nightly now. She's very alert during

these bouts, making good eye contact and communicating in very silly ways.

We've come to the conclusion that she simply cannot control her laughter and

giggling! It's really strange but she often does what we call " fake

coughing " during these periods. During these bouts, she's probably as alert

as we ever see her -- she's just really *with us* but it's so strange.

If she displayed significant sadness, I might start thinking

manic-depression or bi-polar but she's overall a happy child (just a bit

more happy at times). Does this sound at all familiar to anyone? Any and

all input is greatly appreciated!

Dana in Michigan

rodgers@...

[Guest guest]

Dear Stacey,

I wonder if maybe has some signs of PDD.

My son has social/play issues, lines up cars etc. He

was diagnosed by a developmental psychologist and she

gave me a diagnosis of pdd-nos mild. He has been in a

intensive program, min. hours 5 a week for each child,

JAck receives 6 1/2 and it is helping him

tremendously. His pretend play is better and also his

use of language, even though his therapist for pdd is

not a SLP they do work on language with him through

play and it has also gotten better. Just a thought!

JAck does not have uncontrollable fits of laughter but

and no signs of any seizures but what he does do is

when I discipline him he laughs and does not seem to

care one bit. That has also gotton better. I hope I am

not being too foward to make this point about PDD, I

apologize if I have.

Sincerely,

Eileen mom to JAck 2 1/2 Oral Apraxia, SI and pdd,

and 1 yr.

--- Stacey <staceydaniel@...> wrote:

> Hi Dana,

>

> My son also has fits of uncontrollable

> laughter. It has been known to go on for 2 or more

> hours. He is 2.4 years old and I have not seen it

> lately. It happened usually in the evening hours

> and he never could stop. This was before we knew he

> had any other problems other than speech delay and

> we thought he was just extremely happy. In fact,

> one time I even jokingly asked my husband if he had

> ever heard of any kind of disorder that had to do

> with laughing. We are currently seeing a neuro for

> medical tests looking into the possiblities of

> seziures with Chris. He does this eye fluttering

> thing alot and sometimes dazes out for 10-15 seconds

> a few times a day.. We do not have any conclusions

> yet. He is nonverbal and has a few strange signs (

> lines up toys- hand flapping) he also seems to be

> lacking on the social side a bit. We know he has

> some sensory issues too.

>

> Let me know what you find out. I will be interested

> to follow this post.

>

> I am so glad to have found this group. Up until

> now, I have not found any means of a support group

> anywhere and this group has been the best!!!

>

> Stacey

[Guest guest]

PLease tell me more about the " gelastic seizure " . Oh, I did go to 's

site and I think she talks so beautiful! My daughter is almost 5 and the

only things she can say are mama and no. She is having a very hard time

putting more than one sound together. Breana also is very silly at times,

and will laugh inappropriatly as well. She will laugh so hard....even if I

am mad she will make me laugh!! My little angel...I love her so much. She

was my first, and also had issues with her feet which led her to walk at 18

mos. Sounds like you had some wonderful doctors...only wish I had! Talk

later!

>Could be a Gelastic seizure, even if she does appear to be with it.

>My daughter Lindsey age 5.6 has what we suspect are gelastic seizures.

>But Lindsey is also a very silly girl, who laughs inappropriately. She

>laughs

>so hard she cannot stand at the same time.

>If your daughter has not had a 24 hour EEG, I think she should have one.

>Just

>to see what is happening when she has her laughing fits.

>

>Just a Mom that's been there.

>Jennie

>Lindsey's site

>http://lindsey03.homestead.com/mygirl.html

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana:

My first question to you is - what does her doctors say about this ?

Rather than speculate, I would be interested to know what the people

who have worked with her over the years think of this. Of

significance is not whether she is being " silly " or not, but if this

is interfering with her functioning at home and at school.

Larry Laveman, MD

Consultant, CHERAB

http://www.apraxia.cc

> Hi Everyone,

>

> After participating in many lists since our daughter arrived, I

have to say

> this one is the best. I'm particularly touched by the number of

medical

> professionals offering insight. It's so helpful (not to mention

> refreshing:-)

>

> In short, our oldest daughter, is six years old tomorrow.

Jul joined

> our family through adoption when she was 2 years 10 months. I

think I

> mentioned in my intro that she has congenital bilaterial microtia

resulting

> in a severe hearing loss.

>

> She's been evaluated *extensively* over the last 3 years

(developmental ped,

> psychologists, neurologist, SLP, OT, PT, etc).

>

> Anyhow, Jul is non-verbal with significant self-stimming behaviors

and a

> significant congnitive delay as well. Her dx is severe apraxia and

global

> aphasia (with hearing loss of course). In addition to

SuperNuThera, she's

> also on Prozac -- primarily to improve her severe wakefullness and

overall

> attention. It's helped tremendously with virtually no side effects.

> (Interestingly, we did not see any difference between 2ml per day

and 5ml

> per day -- she's 37lbs and been on Prozac almost a year).

>

> Ok, finally to my question .... About 6 weeks ago, started

having

> these uncontrollable fits of laughter and " sillyness " . It starts

between

> about 6-8pm and lasts about 1 hour or perhaps a bit more. From

talking with

> her teachers, it also seem to occur at school, though we've never

seen it

> during the day at home. It's almost nightly now. She's very alert

during

> these bouts, making good eye contact and communicating in very

silly ways.

> We've come to the conclusion that she simply cannot control her

laughter and

> giggling! It's really strange but she often does what we call " fake

> coughing " during these periods. During these bouts, she's probably

as alert

> as we ever see her -- she's just really *with us* but it's so

strange.

>

> If she displayed significant sadness, I might start thinking

> manic-depression or bi-polar but she's overall a happy child (just

a bit

> more happy at times). Does this sound at all familiar to anyone?

Any and

> all input is greatly appreciated!

>

> Dana in Michigan

> rodgers@i...

[Guest guest]

Dr. Laveman,

Thank you for your response. is scheduled for follow-up with her

neurologist near the end of January. I will mention the excessive laughing

to him them. In terms of those who have worked with her in the past, they

haven't a clue! Jul, it seems is a big mistery to nearly every medical and

educational professional that's come to know her. We, however do not find

her to be all that difficult to figure out (understand) :-)

So, with the excessive laughter, we wonder if it may perhaps provide a clue.

In our home, the impact is fairly minor as it only happens in the evenings

(but may interfer with sleep). In school, it's totally unproductive.

I should add that is a post-institutionalized child with some autistic

features (if you are familiar with such and believe in statistics most

children with institutional autism recover within 1-2 years. has been

home with us for three years). Apparently, she does not meet the basic

criteria for autism. She is dx severe aphasic and apraxic (she's non-verbal

but uses sign language at 30plus month level) and also has a severe hearing

loss due to congenital ear malformation.

So again, I guess what I'm looking for here is any possible clue as the

" professionals " are basically clueless! The excessive laughing is just

what's new for now and so we are looking at it.

Best,

Dana in Michigan

[ ] Re: Fits of uncontrollable laughter

> Hi Dana:

>

> My first question to you is - what does her doctors say about this ?

> Rather than speculate, I would be interested to know what the people

> who have worked with her over the years think of this. Of

> significance is not whether she is being " silly " or not, but if this

> is interfering with her functioning at home and at school.

>

>

> Larry Laveman, MD

> Consultant, CHERAB

> http://www.apraxia.cc