Epilepsy in Schools
About 0.6% of children ages 0-17 have epilepsy in the United States. 2 That is about 460,000 children in 2013.1 Picture a school with 1,000 students—that means about 6 students would have epilepsy. For many children, epilepsy is easily controlled with medication and they can do what all the other kids can do, and perform as well academically. For others, it can be more challenging.
Compared with students with other health concerns, a CDC study shows that students aged 6–17 years with epilepsy were more likely to miss 11 or more days of school in the past year. Also, students with epilepsy were more likely to have difficulties in school, use special education services, and have activity limitations such as less participation in sports or clubs compared with students with other medical conditions. CDC also found that a larger percentage of children with epilepsy than those without the disorder lived in very low income households (below 200% of the federal poverty level). This suggests other unmet needs for families of children with epilepsy.3
Managing epilepsy while at school may involve:
- Educating the school nurse, teachers, staff, and students about epilepsy and its treatment, seizure first aid, and possible stigma associated with epilepsy.
- Following the seizure action plan and administering first aid (including the use of rescue medications).
- Understanding the importance of medication adherence and supporting students who take daily medications.
- Helping students avoid seizure triggers, such as flashing lights, or other triggers identified in the seizure action plan.
- Monitoring and addressing any related medical conditions, including mental health concerns such as depression.
- Providing case management services for students whose medical condition disrupts their school attendance or academic performance.
- Referring students with uncontrolled seizures to medical services within the community or to the Epilepsy Foundation for more information.
- Understanding the laws related to disability, medical conditions, and special education to ensure that children with epilepsy are able to access the free and appropriate education afforded to them under the law.
- Monitoring student behavior to prevent bullying of students with epilepsy.
References
- US Census Bureau, Population Division [database online]. Annual estimates of the resident population by sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin for the United States, States, and Counties: April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2013. Release Date: June 2014. https://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2013/index.html. Accessed February 2, 2015.
- Russ SA, Larson K, Halfon N. A national profile of childhood epilepsy and seizure disorder. Pediatrics 2012;129:256–64. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1371.
- Pastor PN, Reuben CA, Kobau R, Helmers SL, Lukacs S. Functional difficulties and school limitations of children with epilepsy: findings from the 2009–2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. Disabil Health J. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2014.09.002.
Epilepsy is a common disorder of the brain that causes recurring seizures.
- About 2.4 million adults and 460,000 children have active epilepsy in the United States.1-3
Epilepsy affects people of all ages.
- But, children and older adults are more likely to have epilepsy.
Epilepsy can affect people in very different ways.
- Seizures are the main sign of epilepsy. Most people with epilepsy can control their seizures with treatment.
There are more than 30 different kinds of seizures.4
- Some seizures can look like staring spells. Other seizures can cause a person to collapse, stiffen or shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them. Learn more about different types of seizures.
Some people may have more than one kind of seizure, or other medical conditions in addition to epilepsy.
- These factors play a major role in determining both the severity of the person’s condition and the impact it has on his or her life.
Epilepsy can be caused by different conditions that affect a person's brain.
- Many times the cause is unknown. Sometimes epilepsy is related to a genetic condition, developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, or stroke.
There are over 200 epilepsy centers in the U.S.
- Healthcare providers at these centers are trained to manage epilepsy and provide expert care to both children and adults. For example, an “epileptologist” is a doctor who has advanced training and experience in epilepsy.
About 1 in 10 people will have a seizure.
- This means seizures are common, and it’s likely you will need to help someone during or after a seizure.
References
- Kobau R, Luo Y, PhD, Zack M, Helmers S, Thurman D. Epilepsy in adults and access to care — United States, 2012. MMWR. 2012;61(45);909-913. . Accessed October 10, 2014. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm6145.pdf [PDF - 863 KB].
- US Census Bureau, Population Division [database online]. Annual estimates of the resident population by sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin for the United States, States, and Counties: April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2013. Release Date: June 2014. https://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/asrh/2013/index.html. Accessed February 2, 2015.
- Russ SA, Larson K, Halfon N. A national profile of childhood epilepsy and seizure disorder. Pediatrics 2012;129:256–64. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2010-1371.
- The Epilepsies and Seizures: Hope through Research. National Institutes of Health Web site. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm#288543109. Published July 17, 2015. Accessed September 24, 2015.
When should you call 911?
If a seizure:
- Lasts more than five minutes.
- Causes a person to become injured.
- Happens in water.
- Happens in a person with another known condition (like diabetes or pregnancy).
- Causes a person to have difficulty breathing or waking after the seizure is over.
For more information about seizure first aid, visit the CDC Seizure First Aid Web site.
Not all seizures are emergencies and most will end within a few minutes.
- First, always remember to remain calm, provide care, and comfort.
- For any type of seizure, always be comforting and talk calmly.
- Time the seizure, keep the person safe, and help them recover.
During a convulsive seizure, a person may cry out, fall, stiffen or shake, and lose awareness.
- If you can, help them sit safely or guide them gently to the floor.
- Once on the floor, turn them on their side. Clear nearby objects to help prevent injury.
- Cushion their head with a jacket or other soft item.
During non-convulsive seizures, a person might stare blankly, be unresponsive, or may appear afraid.
- Stay with the person until he or she is fully awake, guide them to a safe place, and explain what happened
What is a Seizure Action Plan?
A Seizure Action Plan contains the essential information school staff may need to know in order to help a student who has seizures. It includes information on first aid, parent and health care provider contacts, and medications specifically for that child. Seizure Action Plans are an important tool that help parents and schools partner to keep children safe and healthy during the school day.
See an example of a Seizure Action Plan [PDF - 266 KB] from the Epilepsy Foundation.
If you have a student with epilepsy or seizure disorder, be sure to work with the student’s family to develop an individualized seizure action plan.
- Once the seizure action plan is in place, be sure to follow it.
CDC supports the national Epilepsy Foundation to develop and share training programs for school nurses, staff, and students.
- Managing Students with Seizures is a training program for school nurses, because they play such an important role in recognizing and managing seizures at school. This program provides school nurses the knowledge and skills they need to provide care to students with epilepsy, and also to train other school staff. The training is available in person through local Epilepsy Foundation affiliates or online. The course provides nurses with 3.2 FREE Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through a partnership with the CDC.
- Seizure Training for School Personnel provides teachers and other school personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize seizures, respond with appropriate first aid, and understand the impact seizures have on students. It is for elementary, middle, and secondary school staff, including teachers, administrators, cafeteria workers, security guards, custodians, or other school staff that may come in contact with students. It is offered in person through local Epilepsy Foundation affiliates and online, and offers FREE CEUs through a partnership with CDC.
- Seizure Training for Child Care Personnel teaches childcare providers about proper seizure first aid for young children. Childcare providers who complete this training will be able to recognize common seizure types and their possible impact on children; identify and apply appropriate first aid; recognize when a seizure is a medical emergency; and show social and academic support. Program materials are available from the Epilepsy Foundation.
- Take Charge of the Storm and Take Charge of the Facts teach middle and high school students about seizures and epilepsy, teach appropriate first aid, and help reduce the stigma associated with the condition. Take Charge of the Facts is appropriate for high school students and incorporates epilepsy information into lesson plans for health education, history or language arts classes. Take Charge of the Storm is intended for middle school students, and includes a game and supplemental materials for the students. Program materials are available free of charge from the Epilepsy Foundation.
CDC also created the You Are Not Alone toolkit, which is a support program for parents of teens with epilepsy.
The Epilepsy Foundation has a Web site that addresses concerns about school, driving, and social situations. Their monitored community forums are also a great place for teens to chat about living with epilepsy.
Additional support and educational programs may be available through your local Epilepsy Foundation affiliate.
- Page last reviewed: October 21, 2015
- Page last updated: October 21, 2015
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