The role of school in the management of children with epilepsy

Abstract

Worldwide, epilepsy affects about 0.7% of children of school age. It is associated with educational difficulties in addition to psychological, social, and other comorbidities. It is important for children with medical conditions such as epilepsy to receive education. The trend is to provide this at mainstream schools. However, there is poor perception and lack of support for children with epilepsy from schoolteachers and the school environment, especially in low and middle-income countries. Teachers, healthcare providers, and policymakers need to have a good understanding of the various issues involved in providing education to these children. We therefore carry out a review of the literature with the aim of highlighting the keys issues pertaining to the education of children with epilepsy. We conclude that the school environment has a role in the management of children with epilepsy from the diagnosis, psychosocial support, and control of stigma to seizure treatment. In particular, there is a need for teachers to be involved in the management of these children in the school environment. Specifically, the involvement of teachers in the provision of rescue medication and safety measures needs to be emphasized.