Hearing your child has been diagnosed with Landau Kleffner Syndrome may be frightening, just as frightening as seeing your child lose his language skills, either gradually or suddenly. While it may be a difficult time for parents, they must act quickly to increase the chances of a full recovery. This syndrome is characterized by speech loss and an abnormal electro-encephalogram, or EEG, and sometimes accompanied by seizures, which will likely disappear by adulthood. Making sure that the diagnosis is correct is the first priority, as it can be misdiagnosed. Parents may be told that their child is autistic, is mentally retarded, has a learning disability, among many other problems because this particular syndrome is so rare and difficult to diagnose.
Speech therapy is highly recommended for children diagnosed with Landau Kleffner Syndrome to help them regain their language abilities, as could medications, like corticosteroids or anticonvulsants. There is also surgery that could correct the problem, but it is controversial. The prognosis differs from one child to another, where some can return to normal. With swift action and proper treatment, a child can regain language skills within a few months or a few years.