The following checklist provides a list of all the things you may need to know in relation to your child’s epilepsy. Your doctor and Brainwave, The Irish Epilepsy Association can provide advice on these and other issues.
What you should know about:
Diagnosis
What are your child’s seizures called?
How do these seizures affect your child?
How should your child’s seizures be documented?
How should you deal with the seizures?
How likely are your child’s seizures to come under control?
Medication
What is your child’s medication called?
Why is it so important that this medication is taken as prescribed?
What are the aims of the medication?
What are the possible side-effects of the medication?
What happens if these drugs react with other medicines?
Safety
What are the best safety measures for your home?
What should you know about safety in sports, such as cycling and swimming?
Where can you get useful aids, such as helmets and safety pillows?
Why are regular meals and sleep so important?
Do you know the effects alcohol can have on seizures?
Do you know the effects stress can have on seizures?
Education
Do you know whether your child’s seizures will have implications for their education?
How do you explain your child’s condition to teachers?
Are there special exam considerations available to your child?
Is there a special education provision available to your child?
Entitlements
Is your child entitled to free medication?
Is your child entitled to free hospital treatment?
Are there any care allowances available to you?
Driving
What are the driving regulations in relation to a person with epilepsy?
How may these affect your child later on?
Travel
What is the generic name for your child’s medication?
Have you a letter from your child’s doctor to take with you?
Do you have adequate health insurance?
Do you know what to do if a seizure occurs while you are travelling?
Do you know how to adjust medication to the different time zones, in advance of travelling?
Do you have useful contact names and numbers for the country you are visiting, such as the local doctor or the epilepsy association there?
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