Autism affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people and how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
It is not unusual for Dravet patients to receive a secondary diagnosis of autism. As autism and Dravet syndrome are both spectrum disorders patients will vary considerably, with some children perhaps showing mild autistic traits through to others having a full diagnosis of profound autism. Dravet patients often display communication and social difficulties and it can be useful to be referred to an ASD specialist if you are at all concerned.