Policies & reports

Autism and Epilepsy: Laying out the evidence

People who are autistic and have epilepsy face some of the starkest inequalities in the world. We know that worldwide approximately 8.4 million people have both conditions. On average, they have poorer quality of life, poor health and can die early. We’ve known this for years, but a lack of evidence-based strategic action has blocked progress.

The SEEN Study 2017

The purpose of the SEEN study was to document, on a population basis, the development and behaviour of young children with epilepsy. The study also focused on emotional wellbeing, sleep and fatigue in their parents. A comparison group of children with neurodisability were included; these children did not have epilepsy but had other neurological or neurodevelopmental problems. This comparison allowed us to study whether having a child with epilepsy, specifically, has an impact on parental functioning.