Epilepsy as a comorbid condition

Epilepsy as a comorbid condition in children with autism spectrum disorder occurs significantly more often than the population average. Epileptic syndromes are also common alongside CP, sequelae of severe neuroinfections, and post-encephalopathic conditions. Specific forms and causes are determined by a specialist neurologist/epileptologist based on EEG, video-EEG monitoring, and MRI when indicated. Epilepsy substantially affects a child's overall development, learning, and behavior - so rehabilitation for comorbid epilepsy requires a coordinated approach: the program at the center runs in parallel with anticonvulsant therapy, under the supervision of the treating neurologist.

At Hanshi NeuroLife International Rehabilitation Center (Shangrao), the rehabilitation program for comorbid epilepsy is only available when seizures are in a stable form. Severe frequent seizures are on the contraindication list for the course - prior medical stabilization in a specialized clinic is required. Admission to the course is decided by the center's physician after evaluation. In stable forms, we use: biomedical support (neuroregulation and, where indicated, active stem cell therapy - anti-inflammatory effect, restoration of neural networks), TCM methods (pediatric acupuncture, Tui Na massage - in a gentle regimen), and rehabilitation courses (ABA, sensory integration, speech and oral-motor therapy, and others) when there are no contraindications for each specific method. Methods that could potentially trigger activation (for example, intense sensory stimulation in photosensitive epilepsy) are excluded or modified.

What parents should know

When enrolling in the program, it is important to provide our specialists with detailed information about epilepsy: seizure type, frequency, triggers, current medications, and the treating neurologist's report. This is critical for safety and for building a correct plan. Independently stopping or adjusting anticonvulsant medication is categorically not allowed. The rehabilitation program does not replace specific treatment for epilepsy - it works in parallel with it, coordinated with the treating neurologist.