Awareness of Students with Diverse Learning Needs,
What the Teacher Needs to Know, Volume 1

Epilepsy is a general term for more than 20 different types of seizure disorders. Epilepsy is not a disease, nor is it a mental disorder.

Temporary disruptions of electrical impulses in the brain result in seizures. Cells working together in the brain communicate by means of electrical signals. Abnormal discharges of electrical energy from a particular group of cells to different parts of the brain result in seizures. The brain controls motor movements, thought, sensations, and emotions. It also regulates the involuntary functions of the heart, lungs, bowels, and bladder. Some disruption of any or all of these may be expected during an epileptic seizure.

The number of seizures per day varies greatly from one individual to another. Some children may experience seizures daily while other children may experience them only occasionally. Some childhood seizure disorders are more difficult to control than others, but chances are good that prescribed medicine will work well if it is taken regularly. Seizures may last from 10 seconds to five minutes. If a seizure lasts longer than two minutes, medical attention may be needed.

Today's medicines do not yet cure epilepsy, however, research has shown that many children who have complete control of seizures for a few years with medication have an excellent chance of being able to live free of the seizures and the medicine in the future.