Blank-outs

Salsera29

Hi Ladies...I'm over here from the TTGP board because I am worried about something and would really like thoughts from some people I don't know IRL. My niece is 16 months and has been "blanking out." She will stand and stare at one spot on the floor for a very long period of time...my sister took a 4 minute video of her doing it the first time. I also witnessed her doing it the last time I saw her...nothing we did "snapped" her out of it, but she did seem to follow my mom with her eyes. 

I live an hour away, so I'm not around enough to observe her behavior on a regular basis. I have worked with special needs children and what I saw the other day really scared me. I privately asked my mom if she was worried, and she said no, she thinks my niece is "very smart" and doing it to get attention. But I don't see a 16 month old standing still for 4 minutes to get attention. 

I don't have a super close relationship with my sister, so for me to just say to her, "Hey, I'm worried about this, I think you should mention it to her doctor" isn't so easy. She's very much a, "whatever, it's all good, she's fine..." kind of person and she was laughing about it so I don't think she is concerned at all. 

My questions are,

1. Have any of your children done this? Have you ever heard of it as a "phase" or as an attention-getting behavior?

2. In your opinion as a mom, as her aunt, do I have the right or responsibility to say something to my sister? Or should I mind my own business?

TIA for any of your thoughts. This is really weighing on me. 

rubber_chicken

that almost sounds like an absence seizure.  i would mention it, that she bring it up to her doctor at the next apt.

smileybabyboy

Sounds like a seizure to me also. I knew a child with them and usually you could get him out of it by moving him around and trying to get his attention by moving his head to look at you.  

DawnLilly

I agree. I've seen them happen to an adult I know. It sounds the same as the petite mals she has.

mypeanut22

As soon as I read this I thought seizure. It couldn't hurt to mention this to your sister.

Salsera29

Ok thank you I really appreciate your responses. I'm going to be with them all weekend, so I will find out If she is still doing it and talk to my sister.  

Meery82

mypeanut22 said:

As soon as I read this I thought seizure. It couldn't hurt to mention this to your sister.

Same here

ALHickok1

My son has never done that, I've only known of one little girl who has done it. Mom was very concerned because he sister had something and it started out this way. As a mother I would be concerned. I may be a little upset with someone who brought it up, but in the end I think I'd be thankful. I would say something to her, or at least discuss your concerns with your something.

TechieGirl1

mypeanut22 said:

As soon as I read this I thought seizure. It couldn't hurt to mention this to your sister.

This exactly. I've seen this before. I would definitely mention it.

eyenigh

4 minutes is a really long time to stand still and stare at the same spot-- even for an adult. It definitely wouldn't be a bad idea to suggest she address a possible issue. It's genuine concern/experience on your part so it hopefully shouldn't be viewed as anything more than that.

Salsera29

Thanks...I am by nature pretty bossy and ever since my niece was born I am very conscious of what I do and do not say to my sister about her decisions. I'm glad you all think it's ok for me to say something about this!

My instinct is to keep it vague, and just say, "Hey, I think you should mention this to her pediatrician." If she shrugs that off, then maybe, "It sounds like a kind of seizure. It could be no big deal, but I would definitely just mention it and see what he says."  How does that sound? 

My experiences are with kids on the autism spectrum, but not that young. When I first saw what she was doing I just kept imagining her regressing, withdrawing from everyone, not speaking any more...I know that is what happens sometimes and it's terrifying. A seizure disorder, while scary, is at least treatable. 

Thanks again!