Encephalitis Cases

Michaiah           
  My daughter, Michaiah (pronounced McKaya), is now 14. When Michaiah was 11 months old she contracted the chicken pox, resulting in a 2 week hospital stay. I saw her seize twice, yet a spinal tap, both painful and a waste of time, revealed nothing. Her physician didn't believe she had seized.

Following Michaiah's hospital stay, I noticed a lag in her burgeoning development, including extreme separation anxiety, loss of appetite, and a marked lack of interest in toys and books she had previously loved. It was heartbreaking to watch and not be able to define what I was seeing. Michaiah didn't speak until she was 3, which was when her developmental delays were finally diagnosed. Extensive testing resulting in Michaiah's diagnosis of central auditory processing disorder. Fortunatly, we were able to place Michaiah in a wonderful educational environment that helped her tremendously.

This year, at the recommendation of her school, (for 9th grade) we placed Michaiah in a more mainstream educational environment. We were so proud and so hopeful. However, we are watching her fall apart. Her IQ also has been tested (121, like Carly), but her cognitive functioning appears more impaired than ever. As of today, Michaiah has had 6 0's averaged into her grades for failing to turn in homework. She is so disorganized that she can't find it although she completes it. She has lost 3 physicis books in 4 weeks...probably not an accident. I wanted to lose my physics book, when I was her age. Michaiah cannot stay organized and I worry that when she is on her own, she will forget really important safety details, like locking her door!

Organizational coaching has been of no help, and outside of her formerly cloistered and structured environment, we are now seeing much more serious executive functioning impairment. As a mother, I know that she suffered encephalitis as a secondary consequence of the chicken pox, but until now, have not found any information linking her illness to her learning differences. It was such a relief to read Carly's story! Any information you can pass on about links between severe cases of chicken pox and brain impairment would be most welcome.

Best Regards,

Tarron Ilai
India
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Posted: Nov.9, 2007 		  adults cases

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