It is estimated that approximately more than 300,000 children in the United States under the age of 14 have one type of epilepsy, which can affect a child of any age or background. It is a chronic, neurological disorder that requires long-term treatment with different anticonvulsants.
For some children, this may be a transient period in their lifetime where, if managed properly with the right treatment, they may not have anymore seizures once they grow older. For most children and parents affected by this disorder, though, they face both a long-term commitment and challenge in managing this condition.
Once a child is diagnosed with epilepsy, it can be very overwhelming for both the parents and the child. Children with epilepsy usually feel anxious and may have low self-esteem because of their condition. Going to school may cause them to feel more discomfort and isolation from their classmates and their teachers due to a possible misunderstanding of their condition.
Before your child starts school, you should make an appointment with your child’s teacher — as well as other school staff (i.e., a nurse) — who will be teaching and tending to your child on a daily basis. When talking with the staff, you should discuss the condition your child has and include the following:
- Tell the teacher what type of epilepsy your child has.
- Tell the teacher the current medication your child is taking. The school nurse should know about this too, especially if medication needs to be administered during school hours. Ask about policies regarding taking medication at school if your child has to do so, since every school has a policy regarding this.
- It is a good idea to have a bracelet tag made about your child’s condition.
- Give the school personnel your child’s pediatrician and neurologist contact information.
- Give the teacher your complete contact information, just in case your child has a seizure at school.
- Plan to meet with your child’s teacher periodically, regarding your child’s academic performance, since some of the medications he or she takes may delay the child's academic performance.
- Have the teacher create an open atmosphere about your child’s condition, and let the peers know this condition is not contagious. This may help raise awareness of your child’s condition and lessen the fear of your child’s peers if he or she does have a seizure while at school.
Source:
The Epilepsy Foundation: www.epilepsyfoundation.org. Accessed: 28 August 2008.
