Epilepsy Talk

Epilepsy Smart Schools | November 1, 2024

Being “Epilepsy Smart” is important and relevant for all schools.

An “Epilepsy Smart” school is one that understands epilepsy.

It puts in place inclusive practices to support a student with epilepsy achieve their academic potential and develop positive social relationships.

After all, a large proportion of every child’s life consists of the time they spend at school.

Along with academic learning, children also learn how to communicate, interact, and socialize with their peers.

Children with epilepsy must sometimes cope with more than the usual challenges associated with school.

They may struggle with learning difficulties, behavior problems, or social and emotional difficulties.

It takes a whole school approach working with the student with epilepsy, other students, teachers, staff, parents and the school community.

In order to set up a positive classroom environment and work towards making school as rewarding as possible for your child, it is important to promote a partnership between your family and key individuals from the school.

It’s important to develop an ongoing relationship with your child’s teacher to monitor his academic progress as well as his social relationships with peers.

How much participation you should expect from teachers will depend on your child’s age and stage of development, their epilepsy severity, and how much extra attention they requires.

By understanding the important aspects of epilepsy management, your child’s teacher can help with your child’s healthy adjustment to the classroom, including healthy peer interactions.

Teachers also play an important part in ensuring your child’s safety, not only in the classroom but in the playground, on school trips, and during sporting activities.

A knowledgeable and supportive teacher will potentially reduce your anxiety and hopefully prevent minor crises from getting out of hand.

A poorly informed or misinformed teacher who is very anxious about having a student with epilepsy in the classroom can add to the adjustment and management difficulties you and your child encounter.

Keep the lines of communication open between you and your child’s school.

And don’t forget about peers.

Some ideas that have helped others are:

Having a “safe friend”…

Find a responsible child a few years older than your child, perhaps a neighbor or another student, to be your child’s buddy…

This friend can watch out for your child, lend an ear if your child is having problems, and provide a sense of security…

Having a peer tutor: A student in your child’s class, or in a higher grade, may take on the role of “tutor”… (The details of the role could be discussed with the teacher.)

Success and self-esteem are what will determine your child’s future.

Remember, every child with epilepsy is unique. 

To subscribe to Epilepsy Talk and receive notifications of new posts by email, simply go to the bottom of the right column and click on where it says “Follow”!

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/epilepsy.htm

https://epilepsydisease.com/living/seizure-smart-schools

https://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/support-training/seizure-smart-schools/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1525505023000562

https://www.thecaucusblog.com/2019/08/seizure-smart-school-act-helps-protect.html

https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/epilepsy-foundation-rolls-out-seizure-safe-schools-initiative-nationwide

---