Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group
Epilepsy (often referred to as a seizure disorder) is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. It is commonly controlled with medication, although surgical methods are used as well. Seizures (or convulsions) are temporary abnormal electrophysiologic phenomena of the brain, resulting in abnormal synchronization of electrical neuronal...
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/absence_seizures
As far as Absense seizures progressing such is not always the case as many people have only that type of seizure.
As neurology is both a vast and complex area, not all neurologusts are well experienced in dealing with E. So, the best advice I could give anyone with E would be to find a neurologust that sub-specializes in epilepsy.