title: Landau-Kleffner syndrome in Norway: long-term prognosis and experiences with the health services and educational systems.
abstract: We have conducted a retrospective study based on the medical records of 19 children with Landau-Kleffner syndrome and semistructured interviews of their parents. There was considerable heterogeneity in the children's symptoms. Eleven children were followed for more than 10 years (mean=14.4 years); four have normal language, four have moderate language problems, and three have no functional verbal language today. Late-onset language decline, short duration of the initial aphasic period, and marked fluctuations in speech abilities appeared to be associated with a positive outcome with respect to future language skills. The parents reported having to argue strongly with the health authorities and educational system to obtain a correct diagnosis and receive adequate help. Their main concern was not being taken seriously when they expressed their worries, and they expressed a strong wish for someone who could ensure that appropriate support measures were implemented and who could coordinate assistance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Division of Surgery and Cancer Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. ine.cockerell@epilepsy.no
authors.forename: Ine
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cockerell
authors.forename: Grete
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bølling
authors.forename: Karl O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Nakken
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D018887:Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D007806:Language Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D007807:Language Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies