Raising A Child with Both Autism and Epilepsy

The connection between autism and epilepsy has been established but has yet to be fully understood. Roughly 1/3 of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop epilepsy, and up to 20% of young children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD have been shown to develop epilepsy in adulthood. For the families of children diagnosed with these comorbid conditions the challenges and concerns are also multiplied.

On this week’s episode of Seizing Life, we speak with author, journalist, and mother Liane Kupferberg Carter. Liane’s son Mickey was diagnosed with autism at 5 years old, and several years later received an additional diagnosis of epilepsy. Liane has written extensively about her family’s experiences in her memoir Ketchup is My Favorite Vegetable: A Family Grows Up with Autism, and her articles and essays have been featured in the New York Times Parenting section, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, and Parents. Liane discusses the difficult and frustrating road that led to Mickey’s diagnoses, how the words of one doctor gave her back her hope, and how her family has navigated the dual diagnosis of autism and epilepsy to help Mickey live his best life. She also offers advice to fellow parents of children with disabilities and shares information on a wonderful new employment/educational/social program in which Mickey, now 28 years old, is involved.

[samanthamiles]

I absolutely wish I had been warned there was a link between the two .

[samdownie]

Thank You to Kelly and CURE for doing a episode on #Autism and #Epilepsy ... more pls

[jessicacampbell]

Thank you for this. My son is almost 18 months and has had seizures since he was 4 months old but now we have started the process for a possible epilepsy diagnosis.

[AmazingMusic]

Well, it's 2023 and still nobody mentions epilepsy when diagnosed with autism. Thanks to TACA for helping with this!

[samanthamiles]

Thank you for doing this video . My son has had autism since about 2nd grade and on Xmas eve when he was 9 he had his first seizure in his sleep then three months later he had cluster seizures and got diagnosed with epilepsy. His are tonic clonic .

[amandalitchhult]

My son started having seizures at age 6. He is 9 now. They went from focal seizures to grand Mal. My heart breaks for my son. He has other differences such as autism, global developmental delay & turrets. We have very tough days when it comes to behavior. Sometimes it's a concern for his saftey. I would love to find a way for him to help understand certain behaviors & outcomes. Or maybe someone to talk to... idk 🤷‍♀️ we've done so many different therapies & now we need something new.

[samanthamiles]

Any advice when your neurologist and a head of neurologist tells your your one of those parents? Or a parent who has a hard time accepting things ?