Epilepsy in Children - What Teachers Need to Know About Epilepsy in Special Education

Epilepsy affects approximately one in 200 children (around 0.5%). (Ref: Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne Children's Epilepsy Program website, accessed Feb 25, 2011) In a special education context, there are often students who have epilepsy as a dual disability alongside another disability. For example, some students may have cerebral palsy as well as epilepsy. Teachers need to be aware of the combined effects on learning of both conditions, and the long term implications that both can have on student well being and daily functioning. Despite the prevalence of epilepsy, there are lots of myths and misunderstandings about epilepsy. This article should help get special education teachers on track with learning about this disability.

Here are some basic epilepsy facts:

Epilepsy Fact 1- Epilepsy is diagnosed when seizures occur repeatedly and without there being another trigger evident (as some people can have 'one off' instances of seizures for other reasons not related to being epileptic)

Epilepsy Fact 2- many people with appropriate treatment and medication can become seizure free

Epilepsy Fact 3 - There are about 40 different types of epileptic seizures which present in many different ways

Epilepsy Fact 5- A grand mal or tonic clonic seizure is only one kind of seizure - not everyone who has epilepsy has a tonic clonic seizure

There are also a few myths about epilepsy. Here are a few you may have heard:

1. The person can swallow their tongue during a seizure
2. Epilepsy is contagious
3. Epilepsy is a sign of an intellectual disability.

None of these myths about epilepsy are true.

The cause of epilepsy is an interruption in the transmission of electrical activity through the brain. This interruption can start and finish in different places and causes alterations to consciousness level, behavior, movement and sensation ability. In someone with epilepsy, the waves of activity within the brain sometimes occur at a faster rate, and it is this alteration to electrical activity which causes the epileptic seizure to occur. Sometimes this is obvious to others (such as during a tonic clonic seizure) while at other times it may be less obvious (such as with an absence seizure).

Some students with epilepsy in a special education setting may have medication that they need to take at home or at school. As a teacher, you need to be aware of this, and ensure everyone involved with the student knows what medication is needed during school times.

Some students with severe, repeated seizures who may be at risk of a head injury may choose to wear a soft, padded helmet during the day time. This protects their head in the event that they have a seizure and hit their head on a solid object or on the ground.

In some cases, people may elect to have surgery to help gain better control of their epilepsy.

Some people may need to trial different types and combinations of medication to gain good control of their epilepsy. Epilepsy treatment through medication is usually most effective when the medication is taken regularly and according to a carefully planned schedule and with good medical support, education and back up.

There are many sources of up to date, relevant information about epilepsy. You could try:

The child's doctor or neurologist

The Epilepsy Foundation or organization in your area

A recent book such as Meeting Special Needs: Epilepsy

A local hospital which provides care and support for children with epilepsy

It is important that everyone involved in caring for a child who has epilepsy has the right epilepsy facts that are specific to that child, and that they are aware of how to manage a seizure and what plan has been put in place to monitor, support and manage seizures.