There are many types of seizures a child can experience that are not related to having the disability called epilepsy, or seizure disorder. Convulsions, or febrile seizures, sometimes occur in babies and young children who have high fevers. Others are caused by chemical imbalances in the body, including babies born to drug addicted or alcoholic mothers who suffer withdrawal after birth.
Seizures are often symptoms of other conditions or diseases. Children who develop type one insulin dependent diabetes may have convulsions due to extremely high blood sugar before they are diagnosed, or seizures due to low blood sugar if they miss a meal, have unexpected exertion or exercise, or too much insulin. Some children have a dual diagnosis of type one diabetes and seizure disorder.
If you suspect your child is having a seizure, it is important to report the symptoms you observe to your doctor. The doctor will want to know the movements you saw - head dropping, shaking, hands moving, or a period of not being aware or staring, movement by movement. Make a note of any uncharacteristic or unusual behavior, and any sensation that the child reports before or during the seizure.
Give your best estimate of how long the seizure lasted, what the child was doing before and after the suspected seizure, including how responsive, alert or drowsy the child was, and if there was loss of bladder control in a potty trained child. In an 'absence seizure' the child will not remember what happened during the event, so fill in that information for an older child who is unaware of that time period.
Remember when you are talking to others about your child's seizure or seizure disorders in general, it's important to talk positively about the event as well as the future when your son or daughter can overhear the conversation. It can be embarrassing to hear details and disturbing to hear about your fears ~ our children are dealing with enough without the extra drama of our concerns.
It can be reassuring for children to hearus tell family and friends about older successful people who live with seizure disorder, and that it is just a small part of who he or she is or what they will accomplish in life. Brothers and sisters should have basic information and reassurance that adults in charge take on whatever responsibility is needed to care for all the children in the household. It will also be helpful to educate others about how to recognize a seizure and what they could do to help.
A child having a violent seizure does not need to be tightly restrained or to bite on something to protect them from biting or swallowing the tongue. The most important thing they can do during a child's seizure is to stay calm.
It's good to try to help the child lie down to reduce the risk of injury from falling down, and put something soft under his or her head.
To reduce the risk of choking, they may want to gently turn the child to rest on one side, loosen tight clothing, remove (or cushion) hard or sharp objects nearby, and/or remove eyeglasses. It is important to remain nearby until the child is fully alert, and to listen to as well as reassure them.
Medications and other treatments available for children who have seizures or seizure disorder should be discussed with the child's specialist, usually a pediatric neurologist, and your family practice doctor.
If one medication does not work well within a certain amount of time, it's important to adjust the dose according to your doctor's advice, and to follow directions carefully during a change in medications or addition of a new medication. A special diet known as the Ketogenic Diet should be attempted only under medical supervision and may be dangerous for some children.
Children who have seizure disorders qualify for individual education plans (IEPs) and/or 504 plans at school that will accommodate their special needs and give them opportunities to be successful in class and on the playground. Many people talented in different fields have learned to live with epilepsy and contribute daily to their communities and the world.
Books on Children with Seizures/Epilepsy can be found at local libraries, bookstores, parent groups and medical offices. Search Amazon.com for Books on Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder
likeSeizures and Epilepsy in Childhood - A Guide ~ Johns Hopkins Press Health Book
Taking Seizure Disorders to School
Growing Up with Epilepsy
Becky the Brave
Epilepsy: The Ultimate Teen Guide
*Clicking on a book will take you to Amazon.com
Applied Neurology ~ July 2005
Guide to Interventions for Pediatric Seizure Disorders
http://appneurology.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=165701904
Pediatric Neurology ~ Childhood Seizure eBook
http://pediatricneurology.com/seizures.htm
http://pediatricneurology.com/seizures.htm
What is this 'Seizure' Thing, Anyway?
http://pediatricneurology.com/seizures_for_kids.htm
Teens and Seizures
http://pediatricneurology.com/teen_chapter.htm
Children's Hospital Boston
How to Prepare for a Pediatric EEG (Electroencephalogram)~ Brain Wave Test
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site829/mainpageS829P0.html
Parenting a Son with Special Needs ~ BellaOnline.com Sons
Seizure Disorder ~ What to Do
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4394.asp
A Practical Approach to Uncomplicated Seizures in Children
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000901/1109.html
Epilepsy.com Prescription Drug Assistance
http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/drugassist_links.html
Reduced or Free Prescription Programs for Families
Epilepsy / Seizure Disorders - Family Village
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/lib_epil.htm
Ketogenic Diet Links - Family Village
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/general/ketogeni.htm
Epilepsy Foundation of America
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org
IEP Goals for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4330.asp
Review - Parenting Children With Health Issues
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art56840.asp
Wrightslaw ~ Education Law
Support For School Personnel and Parent Training (Cindy ~ Seizure Disorder)
http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/support.bardet.htm
IEP Services ~ Seizure
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.law.appendixa.htm
