Many children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) also have learning, behavior, or attention challenges—but families are often left wondering what’s going on or how to get help. These challenges are sometimes part of something called a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD).
But what is an NDD? How do you know if your child has one? And how do you get help?
In this Power Hour, pediatric neurologist Dr. Shafali Jeste will explain NDDs in clear, simple language.
She’ll cover:
- What neurodevelopmental disorders are
- How they’re diagnosed
- How they can overlap with epilepsy, autism, ADHD, and learning delays
- How the correct diagnosis can help unlock proper supports and services for your child
This talk is perfect for parents who are dealing with:
- Behavior or attention issues
- Learning delays
- Trouble getting school services or knowing what to ask for
Dr. Jeste will discuss how these issues may be present before epilepsy surgery, may change after surgery, or show up later on. Every child’s path is different—and having the right information can make a big difference.
Who Should Attend:
Parents and caregivers of children with drug-resistant epilepsy (including genetic epilepsies like TSC, Dravet, or LGS) and ADHD, autism, or other suspected neurodevelopmental disorders.
Presented by the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance in collaboration with
About our speaker:
Dr. Shafali Jeste is a behavioral child neurologist who specializes in autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders in children with epilepsy and genetic conditions. She is Chief of Neurology at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at the USC Keck School of Medicine.
Her research focuses on early diagnosis and treatment of NDDs, especially in children with conditions like Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC). She has led groundbreaking studies using brain-based tools to better understand autism, ADHD, and developmental delays in children with epilepsy. Dr. Jeste also helped develop clinical programs that provide specialized care for kids with complex neurodevelopmental needs. She is recognized for translating research into practical, family-centered care and is a national leader in the fields of epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).
Dr. Jeste has published over 150 research articles and holds leadership roles with organizations such as the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the TSC Alliance, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the Presidential Early Career Award and the Child Neurology Society’s Martha Bridge Denckla Award. She founded two specialized clinics for children with neurogenetic and developmental disabilities—CARING at UCLA and KiNDD at CHLA—and recently launched one of only three neurodevelopmental disorder fellowships in the country.
Outside of work, Dr. Jeste is a proud tennis mom to her two sons, Nischal and Kiran, and enjoys running marathons in her spare time.
