Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), often shortened to just autism, and epilepsy are two conditions that frequently appear together. Both affect how the brain functions and can cause changes in behavior. However, researchers are still unraveling the mysteries behind this connection.
The scientific community is actively working to understand the link between autism and epilepsy better. They believe a deeper understanding of this relationship will pave the way for more effective methods to diagnose and manage both conditions in the future.
Here, we’ll explore how often these conditions co-occur, and whether one condition might worsen the other!
Ever wondered why sometimes you hear about someone with autism also having epilepsy? It turns out, these two conditions are more than just roommates in the medical world – they’re considered comorbidities. That means they’re chronic conditions that often appear together.
Let’s unpack this a bit further. Picture a classroom of 44 kids. According to the CDC, roughly one of them will likely have autism. That’s about 2% of all children. Epilepsy, on the other hand, affects around 1.2% of both adults and children in the US.
Seems less common, right? But here’s the twist: if you look at people with autism, the chance of epilepsy jumps way up. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Research says that by adulthood, a whopping 20-30% of autistic children will develop epilepsy.
The number above, without a doubt, is a big difference! Interestingly, even autistic individuals who don’t have full-blown seizures might still have unusual electrical activity in their brains. It’s like a silent disco happening in there sometimes!
Things get even more interesting when you look at the other side of the coin. Studies show that around 20% of people with epilepsy also fall on the autism spectrum. That’s a pretty significant overlap, right? So, while epilepsy affects fewer people overall, it’s much more common in those with autism.
Scientists are still scratching their heads a bit about the exact reasons why these two conditions are so chummy. It’s like a complex puzzle with missing pieces. What we do know is that some autistic people are more at risk for epilepsy than others.
Factors like cognitive ability seem to play a role. People with both epilepsy and intellectual disability are more likely to be autistic, and vice versa. Age is another key player. Epilepsy tends to show up more in autistic teens and adults compared to younger children.
There’s also a whole crew of other neurological conditions that can tag along with autism and epilepsy, like depression, anxiety, and mood swings. And even though sex differences are a bit murky, some studies suggest autism might be more frequent in males, while epilepsy leans slightly towards females on the spectrum.
While the classic picture of a seizure might involve someone violently shaking or losing consciousness, seizures in autistic people can present themselves quite differently. There’s no one-size-fits-all seizure for people on the autism spectrum. Seizures can start in different parts of the brain, leading to a variety of symptoms.
Here are some signs to watch out for:
If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or someone you know with autism, it’s important to talk to a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in managing epilepsy.
Telling epilepsy and autism apart can be tricky because some symptoms of one condition can look a lot like symptoms of the other. Both ASD and epilepsy can affect a person’s ability to use language and communicate with others. They can also make it harder to control movement and coordination.
Things get even more interesting when you consider research from 2015. This study suggests that people who’ve had epilepsy for a long time might start showing behaviors similar to those seen in autism. These behaviors can include difficulty interacting with others and problems focusing or paying attention.
Imagine this scenario: a child with autism might have a seizure, but because they also have autism, they might not be able to tell you they’re not feeling well or what’s happening. This is because language barriers are common in autism. Because of this overlap, it’s important for parents and caregivers of autistic children to be aware of potential signs of epilepsy.
Here are some things to watch for:
It’s important to note that having epilepsy likely won’t change the core symptoms of autism. However, research suggests it might make them more severe. For instance, a 2013 study found that autistic children with epilepsy tend to have a harder time managing their autism symptoms and may be more hyperactive.
Experts don’t believe epilepsy causes autism or vice versa. There might be other factors. For example, intellectual disability is a risk factor for epilepsy. Studies have shown that autistic children without an intellectual disability have an 8% chance of developing epilepsy, but that number jumps to 20% for autistic children with an intellectual disability.
Epilepsy is also more common in older autistic children and adults. Research suggests they may also have other challenges, like trouble with learning and communication or a history of developmental delays.
Diagnosing epilepsy in autistic individuals follows the same process as for anyone else. Doctors will look for a history of two or more unprovoked seizures, which means the seizures weren’t caused by a fever, head injury, or other clear trigger.
They might use an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record brain activity, both during normal times and during a seizure. Blood tests and brain scans can also help with diagnosis. The mainstay of treatment, nonetheless, is medication called antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
These medications work by calming brain activity and hopefully preventing seizures from happening. It’s important to note that these medications can have side effects, so the doctor might need to adjust medications if there are problems.
There are also ongoing research efforts to develop new and improved treatments for epilepsy, especially for severe forms like Dravet syndrome. This type of epilepsy often starts in infancy and can lead to lifelong seizures, intellectual disability, and even autism-like behaviors.
One study shows promise in targeting a protein called tau in the brain. By lowering tau levels in specific brain cells, researchers hope to reduce the abnormal brain activity that causes seizures and other symptoms.
If you’re looking for support with autism and epilepsy, you’re not alone. Rainbow ABA is a company dedicated to providing top-notch ABA therapy services in New Jersey, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
Our team of experienced professionals can help individuals with autism spectrum disorder reach their full potential, regardless of any co-occurring conditions. Contact Rainbow ABA today to schedule a consultation and see how we can help!
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