Table 2.

Epilepsy in ASD

Prevalence	Typically quoted at 30% but variable rates reported in the literature. Bimodal age of onset (young children and adolescents.
Risk Factors	Intellectual disability, syndromic ASD, female gender are associated with higher rates, but even those with high functioning ASD develop epilepsy at higher than population rates.
Evaluation	Careful clinical history but ASD behaviors make determination of seizure particularly difficult. EEGs are often helpful but often difficult to perform in these patients. Prolonged or overnight studies are more sensitive than routine.
Treatment issues	Clinicians must consider ease of administration and possible behavioral side effects when choosing anti-convulsant medications.
Other considerations	High rates of epileptiform EEGs have also been reported in children with ASD without clinical epilepsy, but clinical significance is unclear.