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

Types of Seizures

Seizures are mainly categorized as partial or generalized. If the excessive electrical discharge is limited to one area of the brain, the seizure is partial; if the whole brain is involved, it is considered to be generalized.

Partial Seizures

Teachers may notice brief interruptions of consciousness (e.g., staring spells or daydreaming), decreased awareness of the environment, small muscular facial movements, irregular eye movement, purposeless activity (e.g., wandering about, talking nonsensically, smacking the lips, picking at clothes). The seizure usually lasts five to 15 seconds. Complete consciousness is not lost, and the child may be confused and not know what has happened.

Generalized Seizures

Teachers may notice convulsive movements, muscles stiffening and jerking with some breathing difficulty and saliva appearing around the mouth. If the tongue has been bitten, the saliva may show traces of blood. The convulsion lasts two to five minutes.

Factors Influencing Control

Epilepsy is controllable through medication. However, there are a number of factors that influence the degree to which it is controlled.

• While the student is growing mentally and physically, it is difficult to find the right level of medication. It also takes time for the student to adjust to the medication, particularly during periods of growth spurts.
• It takes time for the student, family, friends, and the school to adjust to a recently diagnosed case of epilepsy.
• Usually students with epilepsy are able to participate in all classroom activities. In some situation of risk (e.g., involving physical activities), participation may be limited by a physician.
• By observing and recording behavioural changes and frequency of seizures, the teacher will be able to assist the student in understanding his or her epilepsy. Some children eventually come to recognize the onset of a seizure and are able to inform the teacher of an impending seizure.