Paroxysmal nonepileptic events are common in young children and frequently lead to misdiagnosis as epileptic seizures. Drug-induced movement disorders, particularly acute dystonia, are an important but underrecognized cause of seizure mimics in pediatric practice. Second-generation antipsychotics such as risperidone are increasingly prescribed in children with autism spectrum disorder and, despite a favorable safety profile, can precipitate acute dystonia, especially during initiation or dose escalation.

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Article published online:
15 March 2026

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