Epilepsy Toolkit

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has published a toolkit callled "You Are Not Alone" for supporting families of teens with epilepsy. The focus of this guide is to support transition to high school. The CDC states:

" You Are Not Alone is a toolkit developed specifically for parents of     teens who have epilepsy. Parents know that the transition from childhood     into adulthood often includes emotional, psychological, and social     challenges for any teen. But a teen with epilepsy, especially when newly     diagnosed, may have additional anxiety and confusion due to epilepsy's     complexity and unpredictability. When other people (including teachers,     other children, and other parents) do not understand or are afraid of this     teen who may appear different, a communication barrier can develop, creating     further misunderstanding, isolation, and discouragement. Parents can play an     important role in preventing this. When their children with epilepsy become     teenagers, they can encourage and assist them in taking responsibility for     themselves, while at the same time helping them accept the limitations on     their freedom and choices that may be necessitated by the seizure disorder.     The materials in this toolkit are designed to support this effort."

The kit includes literature,  streaming video and guidance to help students make it through a difficult transition from grade school to high school. Parents may want to consider using this guide both as a help for the family and to develop goals and supports for the IEP or 504 plan for high school.

 

Comments

[Ruth Harrigan]

Thanks for this information - put a link over on my blog for parents!

I think it's very important for any group of people to be able to find a sense of belonging and comfort with knowledge. With ignorance comes fear, and the more we all know about those that we teach, the better we can help them learn. I have two students with problems with epileptic seizures, and I'm glad to learn more about them. I learned about more of the triggers as well, and I'm always surprised at possible threats that normally would go unnoticed. It's good to know there are experts available to talk to to help educate those of us who are still fairly in the dark about this very common problem.

CMC Sherrard Cohort