Power Hour: Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders After Epilepsy Surgery

Presented by the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance

Co-hosted by the TSC Alliance, LGS Foundation, and CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD

Many kids with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) also have challenges with learning, behavior, or attention—but parents are often left with more questions than answers. These issues may be part of something called a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD).

But what is a neurodevelopmental disorder? 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 neurodevelopmental disorders.
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 known for translating research into practical, family-centered care and is a national leader in the field of epilepsy and NDDs.
Dr. Jeste has published over 150 research articles and holds leadership roles with groups like the National Organization for Rare Disorders, the TSC Alliance, and the National Academies of Science 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.
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