Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a biologically based neurodevelopmental disability characterized by qualitative and persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction and by the presence of restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Symptoms must be present in early childhood and they must limit and impair everyday functioning. There is an increased prevalence of epilepsy and/or epileptiform electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities in children with ASD. It is estimated that approximately one-third of children and adolescents with ASD experience seizures, but the relationship between epilepsy and autism is controversial. This article reviews the types of seizures associated with ASD, the EEG findings, and current treatment strategies. The article also describes syndromes associated with the autism phenotype and epilepsy.