Epilepsy and Learning

Epilepsy Affects Children’s Learning and Behavior in the Classroom

Nov 10, 2009

Children with epilepsy may have learning disabilities and behavior problems. How seizures and medications affect children's learning and behavior in the classroom.

A teacher who has students with epilepsy in the classroom will need to understand how epilepsy affects a child’s learning abilities, behavior, and social interactions. Many children with epilepsy are unable to keep their symptoms under control, even when using medication. Additionally, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can also impair memory, learning, and behavior. It is often hard to tell when epilepsy symptoms are caused by the actual disorder or the medication prescribed to help.

This article will explain the symptoms of epilepsy and learning issues associated with the brain disorder in children.

Facts About Epilepsy and Learning

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that results in functional interruptions of electrical impulses in the brain. These disruptions can cause loss of consciousness, convulsions, and different types of seizures ranging from mild to severe. The two main types of epileptic seizures that children with epilepsy may experience are:

Witnessing these seizures can be unsettling for other children and is one of the many reasons why children with epilepsy may have difficulty interacting socially during group activities both in the classroom and at recess. Children with epilepsy sometimes experience an “aura” or warning that a seizure is imminent. Teachers can use this knowledge to their advantage during lessons to prepare the child and other students in case of seizures in the classroom.

Epilepsy and Learning Disabilities, Behavior Symptoms in Children

Epilepsy in children can affect their learning and behavior in the classroom. The following important areas can be impaired or affected by epilepsy:

It is also important to note that children will have good days and bad days with their epilepsy and learning depending on the level of seizure activity. Teachers will want to make accommodations for epilepsy in the classroom to improve some of the above learning issues.

Additionally, emotional and behavioral issues that may arise in a child with epilepsy in the classroom are:

Not all kids with epilepsy will have the above behavioral issues. However, keep in mind that any noted aggression and rage is uncontrollable by the individual with epilepsy in the classroom, and dealing with these dangerous behaviors will require pre-planning on the part of the parents, teacher, councilors, school nurse, and administrators.

Epilepsy Medication (AED) Side Effects

Side effects of seizure medication are well known. Some of the more common antiepileptic drug symptoms that may affect learning are:

It is critical that teachers keep in touch with the parents of a child with epilepsy in the classroom and be informed whenever a medication is added or changed, or when the dose of an AED is either increasing or decreasing, so that behavior changes and side effects can be monitored. Keeping a behavior log might be one way that warning signs and serious problems relating to the drugs can be spotted.

Epilepsy affects children's learning and behavior in the classroom. Epilepsy and its prescribed medications will both cause side effects and academic hardships for the affected student. It is often hard to tell when epilepsy and learning symptoms are from the actual disorder or the medication prescribed to help. Being aware of and documenting these behavioral and learning issues will be a necessary of the school day for teachers of students with epilepsy.

The copyright of the article Epilepsy and Learning in Physically Challenged Students is owned by Karen Plumley. Permission to republish Epilepsy and Learning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.