Epilepsy & Seizures – Complex Care
Epilepsy is significantly more common in children with Autism than in the general population. While children without Autism have about a 2–3% chance of developing epilepsy, research shows that children with Autism have up to a 30% chance of developing the disorder (Golnik & Maccabee-Ryaboy, 2010). Seizures can look very different from person to person—there are multiple types, including generalized seizures (which affect the whole brain) and focal seizures (which affect specific areas). Some seizures may involve noticeable convulsions, while others can appear as brief staring spells or subtle movements, making them harder to detect.
Akami Pediatrics – Dr. Chris Arca
https://akamaipediatrics.com/
Riverside – (951) 498-3661
Board-certified child neurologist, epileptologist, and pediatrician. Offers Autism diagnosis, seizure/epilepsy management, and well-child examinations. Provides personalized, compassionate care focused on general pediatrics, development, and neurology.
Inland Empire Brain Experts Corp.- Dr. Muhammad F. Salim, MD
https://www.inlandempireneurology.com/
Riverside – (951) 339-1005
Board-Certified Neurologist (Child & Adult Neurology, Epilepsy. Dr. Salim is a highly skilled neurologist, certified in both child and adult neurology, with a special focus on epilepsy. Dr. Salim works with patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, treating each person with compassion and respect.
Loma Linda Epilepsy Center
https://lluh.org/neurology/our-services/epilepsy-center
Loma Linda – (909) 558-2880
Level 4 center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) for providing the highest level of care for patients with complex epilepsy. Our care team includes leading adult and pediatric epileptologists with clinics in Loma Linda, Riverside, and San Bernardino.
Rady Children’s Health: formerly Children’s Hospital of Orange County – Dr. Maija-Riikka Steenari, Neurology
https://choc.org/medical-staff/neurology/maija-riikka-steenari-md/
Orange – (714) 462-1837
As a pediatric neurologist and epilepsy specialist, Dr. Steenari’s clinical interests include neurometabolic diseases, infantile spasms, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, refractory epilepsy, intracranial monitoring, and epilepsy surgery. Her research interests include understanding epileptic disorders, such as infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, investigating different treatment options in patients with refractory epilepsy, and quality of life in patients with epilepsy.
UCLA Pediatric Level 4 Epilepsy Center- Westwood Pediatrics
https://www.uclahealth.org/medical-services/pediatric-neurology
Los Angeles – (310) 825-0867
Board‑Certified Pediatric Neurologist and Pediatric Epileptologist with close collaboration with the UCLA Center for Autism Research & Treatment (CART).
UCSD Health – Dr. David Lee
https://providers.ucsd.edu
San Diego – (858) 857-7000
David J. Lee, MD, PhD, is a board-certified neurologist who treats seizures and epilepsy, including epilepsy that does not respond to medication. As an associate professor in the Department of Neurosciences, Dr. Lee conducts epilepsy research and trains medical students, residents, and fellows at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
West Coast Neurology- Dr. Jyes Querubin
https://www.westcoastneurology.com/doctor-feed/jyes-querubin-md
Pasadena, Arcadia, and Pomona – (626) 598-3797
Dr. Jyes Querubin is a Board-Certified Pediatric Neurologist, Board-Certified Pediatric Epileptologist, and WCN Pediatric Program Co-Director. Dr. Querubin has a passion for caring for children and provides excellent care for those with neurological conditions. Her clinical interests include pediatric epilepsy and Autism. Her research interests have included genetics in neurologic disorders such as epilepsy.
Autism Society Options Policy
This Resource Guide was developed to provide families and professionals with an opportunity to find resources related to autism in the Inland Empire in one place.
All information provided or published by the Autism Society Inland Empire is for information purposes only. Specific treatment, therapy or services should be provided to an individual only at the direction of the individual’s doctor, caregiver, or other qualified professional. References to any treatment or therapy option, program, service, or treatment provider are not an endorsement by the Autism Society. References of treatments, therapies, programs, services, and/or providers are not intended to be comprehensive statements. You should investigate alternatives that may be more appropriate for a specific individual. The Autism Society assumes no responsibility for the use made of any information published or provided. The Autism Society Inland Empire provides information, but it does not constitute medical or legal information. Referrals provided are suggestions to organizations that might help, but do not constitute a recommendation. The Autism Society Inland Empire cannot be held responsible for consequences that arise from individual dealings with a professional or organization. The inclusion of any organization does not imply endorsement, and omission does not imply disapproval. The Autism Society Inland Empire may add or remove organizations from this list at its discretion.
