EPILEPSY
Understanding epilepsy
survey conducted by the is then the focus for discussion and instruction when
A
national society for epilepsy in
Let’s talk epilepsy, says the UK’s leading charity
the aim is to deliver some important messages relating
2008 showed an alarming four to epilepsy.
per cent of the uK public (the
and medical authority on the condition – and
the recovery position is demonstrated and some
equivalent of 2.4 million people) of the myths around the condition are dispelled. For
still believe that epilepsy is due
where better to start than in the classroom and
instance, it is emphasised that it is not necessary, and is
to possession by evil spirits, and in fact dangerous, to put something in a person’s mouth
some are still under the misapprehension that it can be
its tailored school awareness programme. Chris
during a seizure.
caught. Another myth that usually comes up during
In a bid to dispel the myths and stigma which discussion, is that all people with epilepsy have to
surround this “hidden” condition, the national society
Parr reports
avoid strobe lighting and flashing lights, when in fact it
for epilepsy (nse) has devised a school awareness is only a small number (between three and five per cent
programme, in the hope that by talking to school age, any race and from any walk of life can develop reduce the desire to stigmatise people who may be of people with the condition) who have photosensitive
children, misconceptions can be nipped in the bud and epilepsy at anytime, but it is most common in children. different or vulnerable. epilepsy.
replaced by a culture of understanding and awareness. About 70 per cent of people can live with their this understanding not only applies to epilepsy, but children then look at a few scenarios, imagining
the programme has been put together to meet the seizures controlled thanks to anti-epileptic drugs. also to other conditions. themselves in “the shoes of someone with epilepsy”.
needs of the national curriculum for several aspects of However, for the remaining 30 per whose epilepsy When people think of epilepsy, they generally Issues around relationships, school, and safety and
the citizenship and PsHe programmes of study. is yet to be controlled, it is the unpredictability of think of convulsive seizures (now called tonic clonic, moral dilemmas relating to stereotyping, prejudice, and
the nse is not necessarily teaching students about discrimination are then discussed.
epilepsy, but looking to help children develop the For example, if you were 17-year-old ravi, would
ability to consider the moral dilemmas and contribute
to group discussions about what it might be like to have
epilepsy.
“It’s a very effective way of making a difference,”
explained Jo tripp, the nse’s programmes manager.
‘
The main aim, apart from bringing epilepsy
you tell your girlfriend you have epilepsy, especially
when you have had bad reactions from people in the
out in the open, is to make pupils aware of
past? How would suki, his girlfriend, feel if he has a
seizure and he hasn’t told her? Would you stand by a
new friend who has epilepsy if you think your other
“Most children with epilepsy, and indeed adults, will
the impact the condition can have on a young
friends won’t want to know him? you and your best
appear no different to their peers and often others may mate have just started driving when you realise he has
be unaware that they have the condition.
“Knowledge and understanding are the keys to
person’s life, raising awareness and promoting
a secret – he is having epileptic seizures. What are you
going to do?
breaking down fears. children are very accepting of
others who have epilepsy, providing they have been
tolerance. No-one likes to be different and
this programme covers some key objectives from
the national curriculum for citizenship and PsHe
given the opportunity to understand what is happening and it will also assist schools aiming to achieve
to someone having a seizure and given the knowledge
feeling shunned or laughed at by peers can
the national Healthy school standard, while being
of how they can help.” consistent with the objectives of the safer school
Alice stone, one of the charity’s fully trained
volunteers, who has epilepsy herself, said: “there are
really affect self-confidence
Partnerships Project.
many children in mainstream schooling who live with
this condition. I see my role as helping all children seizures which can cause so many problems. For them. formerly known as grand m
understand epilepsy and to feel comfortable about driving is out of the question, finding and keeping a
responding to seizures. job is not easy, and as most people have no warning
’
A lesson plan is supplied and having followed this
programme, pupils will have been taught key facts
al) or absences (formerly about epilepsy, how different types of epilepsy present,
known as petit mal). basic first aid procedures for people having epileptic
In fact, there are about 40 different types of epileptic seizures, and the kind of impact that having a condition
“My greatest hope is that the message we give is of a seizure and no control or knowledge while it is seizures. For example, complex partial seizures can like epilepsy can have on a person’s everyday life and
taken through to adulthood, so that the next generation happening, there is a risk of an accident, hospitalisation result in a person exhibiting behaviour that can be decisions.
can become good employers, understanding peers and and, sadly, sometimes even death. mistaken for alcohol or drug use, with distressing Ms tripp added: “It is not always easy to get
the stigma-busters of the future.” the school awareness programme was launched outcomes for the person with epilepsy. through the door of a school to talk to them about
Pupil responses have been enthusiastic after listening in 2004 and the nse is proud of its 100 per cent the nse’s awareness programme develops an epilepsy as we compete with a great many subjects on
to the volunteers. one child said: “I understand epilepsy favourable feedback record. each school visited has awareness of epilepsy and the implications of having the national curriculum and schools struggle to squeeze
more and the reasons it makes people act differently. It said it would recommend the programme to other the condition. everything in.
must be hard for people who have epilepsy.” schools. one teacher said it provided, “a very valuable, It is presented by specially trained, crB-checked “But once we do, it is not always easy to get
A little bit of understanding and education can go a if not essential, lesson for all children and staff.” volunteers and usually lasts for 80 minutes, but it can back out. children and their teachers find the nse
long way, especially when you consider that one in 20 the main aim, apart from bringing epilepsy out in be amended if necessary. It has also been successfully programme extremely valuable. so far 295 talks to
of us will have a seizure at some point in our life, and the open, is to make pupils aware of the impact the adapted for use in a primary school. 10,010 children have been given to 65 schools and the
one in 50 will be given a diagnosis of epilepsy, making condition can have on a young person’s life, raising excerpts from the nse’s video, Putting you in the programme is developing apace.”
the chances of witnessing someone having a seizure awareness and promoting tolerance. Picture, show in a non-frightening way, what happens
quite likely. no-one likes to be different and feeling shunned or to people when they have various types of seizures.
Further information
epilepsy is the most common serious neurological laughed at by peers can really affect self-confidence. this video features rolf Harris and pupils are asked For more on the school awareness programme, contact
condition in the uK. one in 131 people have epilepsy the school awareness programme is designed to to think, while they are watching, about how they elaine Falkner on 01494 601391, elaine.falkner@
– nearly half a million people in the uK. Anyone, any develop empathy in the hope that this will ultimately might help someone having a seizure. their feedback epilepsysociety.org.uk or via www.epilepsysociety.org.uk
SecEd • September 17 2009 19
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20