Education
About 300,000 American children and adolescents have seizure disorders, also known as epilepsy. Today, thanks to regular treatment with medicines that prevent seizures, many children with epilepsy have these episodes infrequently or not at all and are able to participate fully in school activities. However, children who are still having seizures may run into challenges at school. Some of these challenges may include isolation from other student, low self esteem and a lower lever of achievement. Fortunately, many of these problems can be overcome or prevented through appropriate management by an informed school staff, particularly the classroom teacher and the school nurse.

A great start to help initiate this process is to have a Seizure Action Plan in place.  This ensures that everyone involved in the overall care and safety of te child are informed and aware of how to recognize, respond, and record what the seizure entails.  It also brings a sense of team work to setting up a process that both the school and parents are comfortable with. Communication is key and this will bring that together.

Scholastic Achievement
Most children with epilepsy simply suffer from seizures and are otherwise mainstreamed. However, as a group their risk for challenges with learning is increased threefold due to frequent seizures, prolonged seizures, and medication side effects.

Many children with seizures have either an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan in place to ensure that the student is given the best chance to thrive in that school setting. An IEP is designed to meet the unique educational needs of one child, who may have a disability, as defined by federal regulations. The IEP is intended to help children reach educational goals more easily that they otherwise would. In all cases the IEP must be tailored to the individual student's needs as identified by the IEP evaluation process, and must especially help teachers and related service providers understand the student's disability and how the disability affects the learning process. A 504 Plan helps a child with special health care needs to fully participate in school. Usually, a 504 Plan is used by a general education student who is not eligible for special education services. A 504 Plan lists accommodations related to te child's disability and required by the child so that he or she may participate in the general classroom setting and educational programs.

Social Issues: Teachers & School Nurses Promote Understanding
School personnel and staffs attitude is an important factor in a child's social adjustment at school. Working together can make this a smoother process. Many programs the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) offers are for the school community - to help educate not only school personnel but other students as well. Such programs generally focus on teacher awareness of seizure symptoms, seizure management, and full integration of the child within the school community. School nurses play an important role in the management of the child with epilepsy at school, especially in dispensing antiepileptic medication(s) during the school day and in aiding the rest of the school community about epilepsy. This will all take part in setting the tone for how the other students will respond to a classmate having epilepsy. Education and awareness play a vital role in supporting the best possible environment for all students, students with epilepsy and those without.

Education Rights
There are a number of laws in place to help ensure the educational rights are being met for all those with the diagnosis of epilepsy. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDA) is a federal law which states that every child with a disability is entitled to a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive setting. 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.

Schedule a presentation to help educate your school.

Receive a Seizure Smart School packet for you classroom

Scholarships available for students with seizures continuing their education.