Epilepsy in People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Needs Statement

There is a critical gap in healthcare provider training regarding the care of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), leading to barriers in access and quality of care for this population. National medical school and residency curriculum standards lack specific training in IDD care, perpetuating systemic ableism in healthcare. To address this, there is a pressing need for specialized educational initiatives. The proposed ECHO style series aims to equip providers with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver quality care to individuals with IDD, thereby improving health outcomes and promoting equity in healthcare delivery.

In this session, Dr. Gabriela Tantillo Sepulveda discusses the importance of determining the frequency of seizure disorders alongside IDD and recognizing individuals susceptible to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). Additionally, she explores factors contributing to heightened seizure rates and adverse effects associated with common seizure medications.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, participants should be able to:

• Define the prevalence of co-occurrence of seizure disorders and IDD and identify patients at risk for SUDEP.
• Evaluate causes of increased seizure frequency and common seizure medication side effects.

Target Audience

Activity Evaluation

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

Educational Methods

• Lectures
• Case Presentations

Accreditation/Credit Designation

Physician

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Social Work

Baylor College of Medicine, Division of Continuing Professional Development (License Number 7270) is an approved continuing education provider for Social Workers through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. This activity has been approved for 1.00 continuing education units.

Term of Approval

March 1, 2024 through March 31, 2026. Original release date: March 1, 2024.

Disclosure Policy

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. BCM is committed to sponsoring CE activities that are scientifically based, accurate, current, and objectively presented.

In accordance with the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, BCM has implemented a mechanism requiring everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity (i.e., directors, planning committee members, faculty) to disclose any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests (drug/device companies) and manage/resolve any conflicts of interest prior to the activity. Individuals must disclose to participants the existence or non-existence of financial relationships at the time of the activity or within 24 months prior.

In addition, BCM has requested activity faculty/presenters to disclose to participants any unlabeled use or investigational use of pharmaceutical/device products; to use scientific or generic names (not trade names) in referring to products; and, if necessary to use a trade name, to use the names of similar products or those within a class. Faculty/presenters have also been requested to adhere to the ACCME's validation of clinical content statements.

BCM does not view the existence of financial relationships with commercial interests as implying bias or decreasing the value of a presentation. It is up to participants to determine whether the relationships influence the activity faculty with regard to exposition or conclusions. If at any time during this activity you feel that there has been commercial/promotional bias, notify the Activity Director or Activity Coordinator. Please answer the questions about balance and objectivity in the activity evaluation candidly.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.