Epilepsy in Autism: An Overview by Paul Hardy, MD
This presentation will discuss Dr. Hardy's extensive experience in evaluating and treating the unique issues of epilepsy in persons with autism. The general classification of epilepsy will be presented with a discussion of specific syndromes associated with autism, followed by the unique epidemiologic and treatment issues. The challenges of diagnosis will be reviewed, especially in children and in people who are nonverbal. Finally, the various treatments for epilepsy will be discussed beginning with dietary and nutriceutical treatments that should serve as the foundation for more standard pharmaceutical treatments. The role of the "therapeutic trial" will also be a focus of discussion.
Paul Hardy, MD is a board certified neurologist with subspecialty training in behavioral neurology/neuropsychiatry. He has held teaching appointments at Harvard Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine. For the past 30 years, he has specialized in working with developmentally disabled individuals throughout their life cycle, particularly those with autism. Since 1997, he has been a Defeat Autism Now! physician, combining his academic background in neurology and psychiatry with the new concepts and treatments developed by Defeat Autism Now! A particular interest for him has been the recognition, evaluation, and treatment of developmentally disabled individuals with occult subclinical seizures. Often these seizures can contribute to cognitive, linguistic, and behavioral disturbances.