Children with epilepsy are more likely to have learning challenges, and many kids with intellectual disabilities also experience seizures. It’s important to think about ways to help these children learn while keeping them safe in the classroom; this may involve adaptions to help with learning and seizure management.
We can work and your child’s school to get the medical and learning accommodations your child may need. Common areas we address include:
- Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan: Plans developed through school districts to provide students who have identified disabilities or certain medical diagnoses protection under the law. These plans allow for specialized education or accommodations to help each child reach their educational goals. A child’s IEP or 504 plan includes both their academic and medical needs.
- Seizure Action Plan (SAP): A formal medical safety plan identified by parents and their child’s medical team that provides standardized, clear direction for schools to identify and safely manage or treat seizures when they occur in school.
- School-based or neuropsychological testing: Comprehensive tests used to determine if any supportive services (such as an IEP or 504 Plan) would help a child. Advocacy involves empowering and supporting parents as they work for their child’s unique needs in school. Social workers can guide parents as they navigate the school system and communicate directly with the schools or refer to advocates when appropriate.
- Early Intervention (EI): A system of coordinated services that promotes the child’s age- appropriate growth and development and supports families during the critical early years between birth and age 3.
- College: Epilepsy and other needs present unique challenges for college-bound young adults. Registering with college health services and disability office is a good start. There are also several epilepsy scholarship funds.
