Viscidi, E. W., Triche, E. W., Pescosolido, M. F., McLean, R. L., Joseph, R. M., Spence, S. J., & Morrow, E. M. (2013). Clinical characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring epilepsy. PloS one, 8(7), e67797. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0067797

University of Rochester

Occurs in 25-30% of ASD individuals, as compared to 2-3% of the general population. Though there is a correlation, the exact reason is uncertain. It’s suspected that there is a shared genetic link between epilepsy and autism. There also seems to be a correlation between epilepsy risk and decreased intellectual ability (per one standard deviation decrease in IQ, odds of having epilepsy increase by ~47%) (Viscidi E.W. et. al, 2013). Abnormal EEG recordings are often seen in the ASD brain, even without epilepsy. 

ASD and Epilepsy

Autism and Seizures. Autism Research Institute. (2021, February 19). https://www.autism.org/autism-and-seizures/.

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