Q: My 8-year-old was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. From the time he began experiencing seizures his grades have progressively dropped. Recently after helping him study for a spelling test, I was confident he knew all the words, however when he took the test the next day he did poorly. Could this have something to do with his epilepsy?
A: Research indicates that one’s short-term memory can be affected by seizures. After having a seizure your child may be unable to remember information and events from the day before or immediately afterward. Research suggests that a small number of epileptics may experience learning difficulties as well. Although epilepsy is not usually associated with learning disabilities, studies show that experiencing frequent or severe seizures can cause damage to the brain, which in turn may lead to learning challenges. Teaching professionals may need to modify traditional educational approaches to accommodate individuals with learning difficulties resulting from epileptic seizures. In addition to having your child treated by a neurologist, a psycho-educational evaluation will help both parents and teachers determine which areas of learning need to be addressed and strengthened. It is also important to realize that seizures are only one component of a child's life. He should be given every opportunity to participate in school activities in the same manner as his peers.
{{brentLink}}
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|