Back To School

As the joys of summer vacation come to a close, excitement is around the corner: The New School Year! Amid the hustle and bustle of school supply shopping and carpool schedules, families with epilepsy have a couple of extra steps to take when preparing for the year. Navigating meeting new teachers and classmates and even attending classes at new campuses can feel overwhelming, so we’re here to help!

For Parents and Guardians:

• Prior to the first day of school, talk to your child’s teacher(s) and school nurse about your child’s epilepsy, what to do if they have a seizure, and potential complications associated with their epilepsy (anxiety, depression, AED side effects, cognitive impairments, etc.).

• Schedule a 504 or IEP meeting with your child’s teacher and the special education staff if needed.

• Provide school staff with a Seizure Action Plan.

• Ask EFCST to give training on seizures and epilepsy to your child’s classmates and school staff. The training presentations help reduce the myths and stigmas surrounding epilepsy while making school a safer place for your child. Download a free Seizure First Aid Poster in English and Spanish here.

• Learn more about the legal rights of children with epilepsy in school and how to advocate for your child.

For Students:

• Seizure activity can be affected by many things, and a lot of those things happen when the school year starts, so make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
  • Take your medicine as prescribed – missing even one dose can lead to a breakthrough seizure
  • Get a good night’s sleep
  • Drink plenty of water and eat healthy
  • Control your stress with some of these tips and tricks
  • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs

• Provide school staff with a Seizure Action Plan

• Ask for help if you need it! Remember, epilepsy affects your BRAIN – so it is understandable if your ability to learn is affected too!
  • Your teachers, school counselors, and even EFCST staff can help you manage schoolwork.

Don’t forget! EFCST offers Seizure First Aid Training at no cost to the public. Family, friends, coworkers, school, and any place of business are encouraged and welcome to sign up for training.

recreational drugs (https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/triggers-seizures/drug-abuse) Provide school staff with a Seizure Action Plan (hyperlink: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/GENERAL%20Seizure%20Action%20Plan%202020-April7_FILLABLE.pdf).Ask for help if you need it! Remember, epilepsy affects your BRAIN – so it is understandable if your ability to learn is affected too!oYour teachers, school counselors, and even EFCST staff can help you manage schoolwork