Epilepsy Talk
Special Education — Expectations and the Law
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Special educational ensures that your child needs are met (legally) if they have learning difficulties that need special help at school.
Technically, it’s called a special education provision.
And there may be a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at the school who can look at your child’s needs, alongside the school’s governing body (often the local authority’s education department).
Tags: additional provisions, advocate, Americans with Disabilities Act, anti-discrimination laws, consistency, educational needs statement, Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation's "Legal Rights of Children with Epilepsy in School & Child Care: An Advocate's Manual", expected goals, federal funds, federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Parent Partnership Services, reasonable accommodations, resources, services, special education provision, standards, structured environment, The Individualized Education Program, The Rehabilitation Act
Epilepsy and Psychosis – Is It Genetic?
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Just as epilepsy is called “a storm in the brain,” psychosis might be viewed as “a lightning strike” to the brain.
Both have to do with havoc in the brain, but one’s a neurological issue and the other is a mental illness.
Totally different ballgames, right?
Maybe not, says new research which focuses on the genetic connection.
Tags: Abilify (aripiprazole), common origins, Epilepsy, genetic connection, Geodon (ziprasidone), Ictal psychosis, link, mental illness, Moban (molindone), neurological issue, post-ictal, pre-ictal, psychosis, Risperidal (rispiridone), Seroquel (quetiapine), Thorazine (chlorpromazine) and Mellaril (thioridazine), toxic effects, twice the risk, Zyprexa (olanzapine)
Dravet Syndrome — New Hope Through Research
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Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy was first described by Dravet in 1978.
In 1992, Dravet and colleagues found at least 172 published cases. Since then there have been numerous new cases.
Dravet Syndrome, also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a rare and catastrophic form of intractable epilepsy that begins in infancy.
BEWARE! AED Safety Risks Withheld
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A study by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that a fifth of U.S. neurologists appear unaware of serious drug safety risks associated with various anti-epilepsy drugs, potentially jeopardizing the health of patients who could be just as effectively treated with safer alternative medications.
The findings suggest that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs a better way to communicate information to specialists about newly discovered safety risks, the researchers say, since the warnings are in many cases not getting through to doctors making important prescribing decisions.
A Little-Known Benefit for Aging Veterans
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Here’s a riddle: When is a government benefit that pays for caregivers, assisted living and a nursing home not a benefit? When hardly any people know they’re entitled to it.
That seems to be the story with a Department of Veterans Affairs benefit called the http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/19/few-know-of-benefit-to-help-aging-veterans/ known as A&A, which can cover the costs of caregivers in the home (including sons and daughters who are paid to be caregivers, though not spouses) or be used for assisted living or a nursing home.
The benefit is not insignificant: up to $2,019 monthly for a veteran and spouse, and up to $1,094 for the widow of a veteran.
Surprised that you’ve never heard of it? You’re not alone.
Tags: allowable assets, confusing, entitlement, income limits, low visibility, scams, underused, undisclosed benefits, veterans, well-kept secret
I Am Not a Camel … but I Do Have Epilepsy
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Here’s an excerpt of a successful woman’s odyssey through the world of epilepsy… It’s riveting.
Tags: afraid, Epilepsy, invalid, professional world, stupid, weirdo, workplace hazard
Top Psychiatric Hospitals in the U.S.
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The U.S. News & World Report’s annual psychiatric hospital survey is valued for its integrity, its impartiality and the method by which each hospital is rated.
Criteria for the survey is: hospital reputation and satisfaction…details of the services provided…plus patients’ feedback about their experiences.
The 15 hospitals ranked in Psychiatry were named as among the best for challenging cases and procedures by at least 5 percent of the psychiatric specialists who responded to U.S. News surveys in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Another 167 hospitals received nominations from one or more physicians. They are listed alphabetically below the ranked hospitals.
Epilepsy — Preventing Depression — Project UPLIFT
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It’s called Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts). And eureka! It doesn’t include meds…
What’s more, this new study has proven successful in the prevention of depression in people diagnosed with epilepsy…
Tags: coping, depression, Epilepsy, interventions, mindfulness, positive techniques, prevention, Project UPLIFT, reduce seizures, worry
Only Days Left to Make Epilepsy Awareness a Reality — Take Action!
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Only Days Left to Make Epilepsy Awareness a Reality — Take Action!
Please call, email, Facebook, tweet and/or visit Speaker Boehner and Representative Upton. We need to ensure that RAISE is passed by the end of the year.
With 107 cosponsors, House Resolution 298 (the RAISE Resolution) has come a long way, but this important legislation is only a few days away from “dying in committee”. The bill needs to be released from committee before it can be voted on and passed…
Tags: call, congress, email, epilepsy awareness, Facebook, important legislation, RAISE Resolution, Representative Upton, Speaker Boehner, tweet, visit
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