School Children And Epilepsy

Most children with epilepsy will do just fine in school with no assistance necessary; however, as a group, their risk for problems with learning is increased threefold. Approximately 9 percent of children with epilepsy have I.Q.s below 70, a percentage that is three times greater than in the general population.

Children who achieve seizure control relatively quickly with few side effects and no cognitive impairments generally have the best chance for average or above average educational achievement. However, it is worth noting that children with epilepsy with average I.Q. may not achieve up to their potential, and attention problems have been identified across the spectrum. Loss of school time because of previously undiagnosed seizures or medical tests may also affect performance, even among children who are otherwise doing well.

Students with epilepsy are at increased risk for academic underachievement, particularly in the basic skills of reading, language, and arithmetic. Many of them are found to be significantly behind their peers in academic achievement levels, ranging from 16 percent below grade in reading to 50 percent in general knowledge. In addition, children with epilepsy have been found more likely to have impairment of self-concept and behavior than are children with asthma. Children with severe epilepsy are also likely to experience social rejection from peers.

Students with epilepsy are at increased risk for academic underachievement, particularly in the basic skills of reading, language, and arithmetic. Many of them are found to be significantly behind their peers in academic achievement levels, ranging from 16 percent below grade in reading to 50 percent in general knowledge. In addition, children with epilepsy have been found more likely to have impairment of self-concept and behavior than are children with asthma. Children with severe epilepsy are also likely to experience social rejection from peers.

Teachers and School Nurses Promote Understanding

Teacher attitude is an important factor in a child’s social adjustment at school; programs for the school community form an important part of most Epilepsy Foundation programs in local areas. Such programs generally focus on teacher awareness of seizure symptoms, seizure management, and full integration of the child within the community. School nurses also play an important role in the management of the child with epilepsy at school, especially in dispensing of antiepileptic medication during the school day, and in educating the rest of the school community about epilepsy.

Education Rights

Gaining access to needed educational services is often difficult for parents of children with epilepsy. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law which states that every child with a disability is entitled to a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive setting. Children with epilepsy may be entitled to special education and related services under the Act if having epilepsy affects their educational performance. Every state has laws providing for some kind of educational services for children with disabilities.

Students of all ages may face obstacles to participation in educational programs, sports, or housing programs. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids discrimination against qualified students with disabilities by educational institutions, including colleges and universities. If a school or college receives federal funds, the anti-discrimination regulations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may also apply.

Seizures in Children Often Go Non-Diagnosed

Things to look for . . .

Seizures are sometimes hard to recognize especially in children and babies.  A convulsive seizure is easy to notice, and seeing a child with one is a scary thing at the least.  However, convulsive seizures are only one type of seizure.  Many other types of epilepsy or seizure disorders are harder to recognize and seizures may only last a short time, even a second or two, and may look not that different from what someone may think is normal behavior.

To help, here are some typical signs in a young child that seizures may be occurring:

• Repeated movements that don’t look normal, out of place, or unnatural.
• Dazed “spaced out” look/behavior.
• Lack of responsiveness for a short period of time.
• Short periods of blackouts that some people may call “daydreaming”.
• Sudden falls for no reason.
• Head nodding or rapid blinking.
• Sleepiness that isn’t normal or the child may be irritable when waking up that isn’t normal behavior.
• If your child says things look or even smell, sound or feel funny to them.
• Sudden onset of stomach pain followed by confusion and being sleepy.

In babies you may look for:

Burst of grabbing movement with arms while lying on their backs.
What is sometimes called “jackknife” type movements when sitting or laying down.

In teens you may want to look for:

• Sudden panic, fear, or anger that isn’t normal for a teen and for no reason.
• Muscle jerks of body extremities.
• Again they may say that things look, smell, sound, or even feel strange to them.
• Memory losses.
• Dazed or “spaced out” behavior and non-responsive for short periods of time.
• Blank staring with chewing or “fish mouth” movements.  A person may even pick at their clothes.  They can mumble incoherently and have strange randomized movements.

Remember a child can have these behaviors and it doesn’t mean seizures.  What you want to look for is a pattern or a change in behavior.  If your child seems unaware of his/her surroundings while staring with a blank look or chewing movements you may want a medical evaluation.  Teachers are wonderful in noticing these things so if they make you aware of them look for them yourself and you may want to seek a medical evaluation.

A good idea if you are noticing these things is to video them on your cell phone or camera so you can show it to your physician.  Keep a log (available under parent’s resources on this site) of when these things occur and how often they do to take to the doctor as well.