Epilepsy in people with learning disabilities

The diagnosis and management of epilepsy in the population of people with learning disabilities can be complex and challenging. Epilepsy is the most common medical condition seen in people with learning disabilities, and both the disorder and its treatment can have significant impact upon an individual’s physical health and psychological wellbeing. Assessment may be complicated by other common comorbidities, such as communication difficulties, mental illness and challenging behaviour, as well as issues raised by the individual’s capacity to consent to treatment. The disorder itself may also be potentially more complex to treat, with many individuals experiencing more than one seizure type and a greater chance of treatment resistance compared with the general population. These complicating factors and far-reaching consequences make an accurate diagnosis and individualized management plan all the more important in this population. This contribution addresses these issues, focusing on individualized assessment and treatment and highlighting the assessment of behaviour disturbance in conjunction with epilepsy and its treatment.