Treatment of seizure disorders and EEG abnormalities in children with autism spectrum disorders

The treatment of seizure disorders EEG epileptiform abnormalities without epilepsy in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is considered within the context of the relationship of epilepsy and epileptiform disorders to language; behavior, and cognition. There is an increased prevalence of both epilepsy and abnormal potentially epileptogenic activity in children with ASD. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of anticonvulsants to treat epileptiform discharges thought to be producing dysfunction in selected aspects of cognition, language, or behavior makes a positive difference in a subgroup of children with ASD, but there is inadequate evidence on which to base specific recommendations. There is, at present, no scientific justification for considering epilepsy surgery in children with ASD in the absence of intractable clinical seizures.