Gill Parkinson

Epilepsy is neither an illness or a disease, but rather a tendency of the brain to be triggered to cause a spasm, a seizure or a fit, when neurones malfunction temporarily. Seizures can vary from major attacks which involve the whole brain to very minor, momentary 'absences.' This engaging book provides advice on the most effective teaching and learning strategies that can be used in the classroom to help students with epilepsy. Highly readable, practical and informative, this book will prove invaluable for teachers, trainees, SENCOs and teaching assistants.

This book looks at epilepsy in children. How is it classified, managed and treated? What is the impact on the family and the child involved? How does this affect progress in school and access to the curriculum? There are sections on assessment and diagnosis of epilepsy; epilepsy and behavior; epilepsy and genetics; the implications for schools, the classroom and learning; how access to the curriculum might be increased; social aspects of epilepsy; and language and communication problems associated with epilepsy. Apart from sound content and clear, practical guidance, the reader will also find a glossary of terms, a seizure description chart, a risk assessment chart, a list of useful addresses and an annotated bibliography. This book will be useful to all teachers, SENCOs, Teaching Assistants, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists, GPs, parents and carers of children with epilepsy.