How to Educate Children With Epilepsy

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures, affects millions of children all over the world. Depending upon the severity of the case, epilepsy should not significantly impair a child's ability to learn as long as medical treatment is followed and the school has formed a partnership with parents to supervise and educate the child.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Ensure that children with epilepsy are under a doctor's care and that the condition is under control before attempting to educate them. Frequent and severe seizure activity may alarm other children and disrupt the classroom. At the same time, teachers, school administrators and school medical staff must be made aware of the condition and follow a specific protocol if a seizure occurs.
2. Develop an individualized education program (IEP) for children with epilepsy that involves the parents, teachers, school administration and medical staff. By enrolling the child in an IEP, a trained aide may accompany and supervise the epileptic child throughout the day and offer medical assistance when needed.
3. Provide a learning environment that is safe, especially in case of a seizure. Classrooms should not be crowded and cluttered, and an open area should be available where the child can endure a seizure without risking injury. While it's not necessary to turn the classroom into a padded cell, common sense must prevail.
4. Schedule regular visits with a school psychologist or developmental therapist so that the epileptic child can accept his condition and progress independently. Many children with epilepsy withdraw from social interactions because they feel ashamed. A school therapist can educate a child about epilepsy and help to alleviate any negative feelings the child may feel.
5. Ensure that all medications are administered on time in school. As a parent, you may be able to request a daily log for your child that must be filled out each time medications are given or medical assistance is needed. This log also can be used to document seizure activity.

Tips & Warnings

• Under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), children with epilepsy are entitled to the same quality of education as children without impairments. A child cannot be denied access to a public school or a day care center because she has epilepsy.