In this Power Hour, Understanding Neurodevelopmental Disorders After Epilepsy, pediatric neurologist Dr. Shafali Jeste explains how neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) often overlap with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and why recognizing them is key to getting the right support.

You’ll learn what NDDs are, how they’re diagnosed, and how conditions like autism, ADHD, and learning delays can show up before or after epilepsy surgery. Dr. Jeste offers clear, parent-friendly guidance on how to seek evaluations, understand your child’s needs, and advocate for school and therapy services.

This talk is especially helpful for families navigating behavior or attention issues, learning challenges, or difficulty accessing support for children with epilepsy.

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.