The effect of seizure disorder on symptom presentation in atypically developing children and children with autism spectrum disorders based on the BDI-2

PURPOSE: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and seizures are highly comorbid conditions. However, little research has been done to examine this relationship. The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect that seizure disorder has on symptom presentation in children with autism spectrum disorders as compared to atypically developing children. METHOD: The Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2) was used as a measure of impairment across adaptive, personal-social, communication, motor and cognitive skills. RESULTS: A MANOVA indicated significant main effects between diagnostic group and seizure status, without a significant interaction. Follow-up univariate tests were conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, results indicated that children with ASD were more impaired than atypically developing children. In addition, children with seizures tended to be more impaired than children without seizures.