Medical Overview

Landau Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) is a rare form of epilepsy that only affects children, and causes them to lose their understanding of language. The main epileptic activity happens during sleep and is usually not obvious to others. It can be seen on brain wave recordings (EEG, electroencephalography.). There may, however, also be visible seizures at night and/or during the day. LKS may also be referred to by a variety of related terms that describe its effects.

As the condition is not well known and has complex effects on language and often also on behaviour, it can take some time before the whole picture is recognised both by parents and professionals and so it can take some time before LKS is diagnosed.