By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — June 14, 2026
why autism and epilepsy show up together
If your child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you've probably wondered about seizures. Maybe you noticed a brief staring spell on a hot afternoon, or something more obvious. Seizures frighten parents and confuse them, especially when a child already has a complicated neurological picture. Autism and epilepsy occurring together isn't random. It's one of the best-documented pairings in pediatric neurology.
Dr. Tamara Zach MD sees children and families in this exact situation at Rose Medical Pavilion. Good care starts with knowing why the two conditions cluster.
how often the two overlap
Between 20% and 30% of children with autism also develop epilepsy. The general pediatric population sits at roughly 1–2%. The relationship runs both directions. Children with epilepsy carry a higher risk of autism-related traits and diagnoses.
That gap tells you something. The two conditions share neurological pathways, overlap genetically, and both can grow out of the same disruptions in early brain development.
why they co-occur
Shared genetic roots
A lot of genes tied to autism also turn up in epilepsy. Mutations affecting how neurons talk to each other, including genes governing synaptic function and ion channel activity, can reshape brain development and raise the odds of both ASD and seizures. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Angelman syndrome, Rett syndrome, and SYNGAP1-related disorder all carry elevated risk for both.
Differences in brain connectivity
Neuroimaging and EEG studies show that autistic brains often connect atypically. Some regions are over-connected, others under-connected. Those same patterns lower the threshold for seizures. A brain wired differently for communication and sensory processing tends to be more prone to the electrical storms we call seizures.
Disruptions in inhibitory and excitatory balance
One strong theory points to the balance between excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABA) signaling. Both autism and epilepsy disrupt it. When the brain's braking system runs poorly, you can get atypical social-cognitive development and seizure activity from the same source.
what seizures look like in autistic children
Seizures get missed in children with autism for two reasons. They're often subtle, and some ASD behaviors look like seizures. Watch for these signs and get a neurological evaluation if you see them:
- Sudden staring spells that interrupt activity and don't respond to their name
- Brief eye fluttering or rapid blinking
- Unexpected falls or sudden muscle limpness
- Repetitive, involuntary movements that seem different from typical stimming
- Confusion or unusual sleepiness afterward
- Loss of language or skills the child had already mastered
Arizona's summer heat matters here. Dehydration and overheating throw off electrolyte balance and raise brain excitability, both of which can trigger or worsen seizures in susceptible kids. Phoenix-area families should stay especially watchful during the months when children spend long stretches outdoors.
what an EEG tells you
If your child has ASD and you suspect seizures, a neurologist will usually start with an electroencephalogram, or EEG. A pediatric EEG records the brain's electrical activity and can catch abnormal patterns even when no visible seizure is happening.
Dr. Tamara Zach MD performs and reads EEGs as part of full neurological evaluations at Rose Medical Pavilion. For children with autism, the process needs care. Preparation, sensory accommodations, and a parent in the room all make a difference for kids who carry heightened anxiety or sensory sensitivities. Some children with ASD and epilepsy show epileptiform activity only during sleep, so overnight or extended monitoring can reveal what a short daytime test misses.
An abnormal EEG doesn't automatically mean your child needs seizure medication. The results get read against the whole clinical picture, the family history, and how the child actually presents.
diagnosis, treatment, and support in Phoenix
Getting a diagnosis
A thorough workup for suspected ASD and epilepsy usually covers a detailed developmental and seizure history, a neurological exam, an EEG, and sometimes genetic testing or neuroimaging. Arizona families have a network of specialists to draw on, and early identification through the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) can connect younger children with developmental support alongside medical care.
Treatment considerations
Managing pediatric epilepsy in an autistic child calls for a personalized plan. Anti-seizure medications are the most common treatment, and the choice deserves attention because some affect mood, attention, or behavior, which matters more in children with ASD. Dietary therapies like the ketogenic diet come into play in some cases. Dr. Zach works through the benefits and trade-offs of each option with families.
Arizona resources for families
AHCCCS, Arizona's Medicaid program, covers medically necessary neurology visits and EEG studies for eligible children. The Autism Society of Greater Phoenix and the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) offer family support, social programs, and guidance for handling two diagnoses at once.
you don't have to figure this out alone
Autism and epilepsy together is complicated, but Dr. Tamara Zach MD and the team at Rose Medical Pavilion know this ground well. Maybe your child has a new autism diagnosis and you're asking about seizure risk. Maybe you've watched episodes that worry you. A specialized neurological evaluation can give you answers and a way forward.
If you're in the Phoenix area and have questions about your child's neurological health, schedule a consultation at Rose Medical Pavilion. Early evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and careful treatment planning change the lives of children and the families who love them.
Schedule an Appointment
Questions about your child's neurological health? Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion is here to help. Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) or schedule online.