An investigation of the association between seizures, autism symptomology, and developmental functioning in young children

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore whether a history of seizures was associated with autism symptom severity and developmental functioning in young children.

Methods: Autism symptom severity and developmental functioning were compared between children with and without a history or seizures who either had atypical development or met criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on review of records by a licensed clinical psychologist.

Results: Parents of children who met criteria for ASD reported lower levels of autism symptomology when the child had a history of seizures, while the opposite trend was found for children with atypical development. Participants without ASD or seizures had greater developmental functioning than the other groups.

Conclusion: The present study emphasizes the need for early identification and diagnosis of both ASD and seizure disorders, as timely intervention for these two conditions may be related to improved outcomes for young children.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• epilepsy
• seizures
• early identification
• early intervention

Declaration of Interest

Deann Matson, Dr. Johnny Matson’s wife, is the sole owner of the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtism Traits (BISCUIT) and sells the scale.