Triveni Goswami Vernal
Registered Special Educator (CRR A64010)

I have often heard from other parents that a repeated exposure to strobe lights, flashing lights and repetitive visual patterns, can sometimes trigger seizures in individuals on the Autism spectrum. For a lot of individuals with Autism, epilepsy is a co-morbid condition. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures (sudden surges of heightened electrical activity in the brain). Epilepsy that is triggered by visual stimulation is referred to as Photosensitive Epilepsy.

A lot of individuals with Autism who have a sensory need for visual stimulation, are often attracted to these kinds of visuals.? Can individuals on the Autism Spectrum with no history of seizures, also develop photosensitive epilepsy when exposed to repeated visual stimulations such as bright,flashy lights and repeated patterns etc? What do articles on this subject have to say about it?

According to a blog, “Flashing Lights and Visually-Sensitive Seizures: Your Questions Answered” (accessed from the website https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/flashing-lights-and-visually-sensitive-seizures-faq), “By definition, visually-provoked seizures are epileptic events, but a person can experience them without being formally diagnosed with epilepsy. In particular, many people without epilepsy can show signs of brain hyperreactivity when exposed to flashing or triggering light—known as a photoparoxysmal response (PPR)”.
Some individuals may develop seizures that are a one-off event, many others may experience migraine or intense headaches when exposed to certain kinds of visual stimulations.

According to the article, “Photosensitivity and Seizures”
(accessed from the website https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-triggers/photosensitivity),
Examples of the triggers for photo-sensitive seizures may include the following:
● “Television screens or computer monitors due to the flicker or rolling images.
● Certain video games or TV broadcasts containing rapid flashes or alternating patterns of different colors.
● Intense strobe lights like visual fire alarms.
● Natural light, such as sunlight, especially when shimmering off water, flickering through trees or through the slats of Venetian blinds.
● Flickering natural light through the trees when driving or as a passenger in a car.
● In some rare cases, environmental lighting like fireworks, especially when they are set off at a rapid pace.
● Certain visual patterns, especially stripes of contrasting colors.
● Strobe lights or special lighting effects at live concerts or events.
…Flashing lights most likely to trigger seizures are between the frequency of 5 to 30 flashes per second (Hertz)”.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list nor are the scenarios listed, always a trigger for photo-sensitive seizures in individuals who are susceptible to them.
While Part 1 of this blog provided an overview of Photosensitive Epilepsy and what the triggers might be, part 2 of the blog will shed a light on Photoparoxysmal Response (PPR) in individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

REFERENCES:
https://www.theraspecs.com/blog/flashing-lights-and-visually-sensitive-seizures-faq
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosensitive_epilepsy
https://autism.org/autism-and-seizures/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11995705/
https://www.epilepsy.com/what-is-epilepsy/seizure-triggers/photosensitivity
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Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs. She has a 14 year old on the Autism spectrum. She is presently working as a Consultant Special Educator at Oyster CDC, Begumpet, Hyderabad.

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“Sunset Skies”
Acrylic Painting on Ivory Paper
Kabir Vernal