Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Chelsea Hutchison Foundation Grants Could Help People Who Have Both Autism and Epilepsy


According to a recent study published in Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, approximately 20% of people who have autism will eventually develop epilepsy. A study published in the Journal of Child Neurology in 2011 confirmed that people with both autism and epilepsy have a higher mortality rate. Some of those deaths are due to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation provides grants for seizure-response dogs and movement monitors that can help alert parents that their child is having a seizure and reduce the likelihood of SUDEP occurring. Seizure-response dogs can alert others and summon help during a seizure, secure a safe space for a person experiencing a seizure, help an unconscious individual regain consciousness and transport vital information and medication. The dogs can even detect the warning signs of a seizure and alert others before a potentially life-threatening situation arises. Epilepsy movement monitors can alert patients and caregivers in the event of a seizure so they can act quickly when a seizure-related emergency arises. These resources would be particularly helpful for people who have both autism and epilepsy who are nonverbal or minimally verbal. 

Contact the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation for information on obtaining a seizure-response dog or movement monitor.

To learn more about SUDEP, visit the following links:



Visit the link below to access a list of resources for people with both autism and epilepsy that has been compiled by Autism Speaks:

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