I'm new here. Epilepsy and Autism connection?

[Curious63]

A friend has epilepsy. I'll call her Ethel, she's in her mid 60's. I've known that's she's had epilepsy for about 50 years. Her behaviour has often been gruff and aggressive, and it's frequently difficult to work with her as she may ask a question but do what she originally thought, or just say callously almost that something isn't possible when it clearly is. Her manner means that myself and others do not want to deal with her. Someone has suggested her behavioural problems may actually be part of an autistic condition aligned to that of the epilepsy. What do people think?

[kevinmhickson]

Hello there. Does Ethel have a diagnosed Autism? History of Epilepsy? Learning disability? Could be connected (higher rate of epilepsy in Autism than general population) but need to know more......

[Curious63 in reply to kevinmhickson]

Thanks for the response kevinmhickson (shall I say Kevin?). As far as I know, no diagnosed Autism - it's only now that I'm considering it a possibility. Certainly she has a diagnoses of epilepsy, and a long history - what used to be called Grand Mal & Petite Mal seizures. I believe she takes Epilim (sodium valproate) which I think contains the seizures. Learning disability? - as I say learning may be hampered by keeping within established constraints - possibly the autistic bit?

[kevinmhickson in reply to Curious63]

maybe time for the epilepsy to be reviewed? - current pattern of seizures, if any; refer for autism assessment (which may of course take some time to process). Are the behaviour issues seen post-seizure?

Kevin

[Curious63 in reply to kevinmhickson]

Thanks Kevin. Epilepsy review/Autism assessment sound very sensible and constructive - thanks again. I don't know about the behaviour post-seizure - I would have thought not, or not particularly, as the behaviour problems appear too often.