When your child has had a second or third seizure, family and friends need to be informed. Your child has probably been started on medication and could experience side effects or even temporary changes in personality from the medication. The likelihood of your child having a further seizure is now high enough that family and friends should be informed. They should know what these “frightening episodes” look like and what they should do if another occurs. They should know about the various false myths about epilepsy. Most of the time your child will be normal. Make sure epilepsy is not blown out of proportion. Don’t let your friends and relatives dwell on it. If they understand, perhaps they can avoid the overprotection and restrictions that deprive your child of normal experiences.*180\208\8*
Teachers are an important part of your child’s environment and can be enormously helpful to the child with epilepsy. If they are informed and properly educated, the teacher will know what to do and what to say to classmates should a seizure occur in school. They need to be prepared should a tonic-clonic seizure occur. They can be very helpful in alerting the parent and physician to changes in performance or personality that might be related to drug toxicity.One of the prevailing myths is that children with epilepsy are stupid or have learning problems. According to many studies, children wi th epilepsy do tend to have more difficulties in school, but this may be a consequence of fear or anxiety, his own and others’. Nor does this mean that all children with epilepsy have learning problems. Most children with epilepsy do not. Some teachers may see learning problems that aren’t there. They may be responding to the myths. But often, the teacher is sensitive to your child’s needs. If she points out problems, your physician can evaluate whether they are related to medication. The school may be able to devise an individual educational program to meet your child’s needs, if one is required.Learning problems may not be the result of epilepsy at all. Many children who never had epilepsy don’t learn easily. Or, as noted, problems may be a side effect of medication. A change in your child’s personality or in his abilities when medication is started may signal such a cause. Early identification of this possibility may allow the physician either to reduce the dose of the drug or to change the medication.To be sure that teachers, school nurses, and principals have accurate information, you may provide some of the excellent pamphlets available either directly from the Epilepsy Foundation of America or from a local affiliate. Many pamphlets are written so that a young child can understand them and are available either free or for only a nominal charge. Pamphlets such as Because You Are My Friend explain epilepsy in simple terms to a young child’s siblings and friends and, when appropriate, can be used in the child’s classroom. Your local epilepsy association can probably provide speakers or perhaps the wonderful puppet show “Kids on the Block,” and will try to help educate the school. A brief classroom session may help your child’s classmates be more understanding, helpful, and friendly should they see your child have a seizure.*181\208\8*