Seizures on the Spectrum

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze data from McWilliams et. al. (2019) to answer the research question, is there a correlation between non-epileptic seizures and autism spectrum disorder that could suggest a cause of non-epileptic seizures in autistic children? A quantitative method and explorative approach were used for the inquiry process of correlational research. Furthermore, a one-proportion z test was used to study the correlation between the population of autistic patients and the occurrence of non-epileptic seizures. The results of this test found a significant statistical correlation between autism spectrum disorder and non-epileptic seizures (p=8.01e-35, z=12.3). In addition, a gap in research on the differences between autistic females and males with non-epileptic seizures was studied using a chi-square test. However, the test found no significant difference in the rate of occurrence of seizures in autistic patients (p=0.85, x=0.0397). Further research will need to be done to determine qualitative differences between the sexes.