Learning and education

Most children and young people with epilepsy go to mainstream schools and colleges. It is important that school staff know about your child’s epilepsy and how it might affect them at school.

Epilepsy Action's Epilepsy policy for schools contains a lot of useful information. This includes an individual healthcare plan, and an agreement for the school to give your child any medicines they need during school hours. If you would like a copy, please contact Epilepsy Action.

Special educational needs

Most children with epilepsy learn in the same ways as other children, and some do very well. However, some children with epilepsy don’t achieve as much as they could at school. This may or may not be related to their epilepsy or epilepsy medicines.

If your child is falling behind at school, or is not doing as well as you believe they could, they may have special educational needs. If you feel this could be the case, speak to their teacher or special educational needs co-ordinator. They will be able to assess your child and find ways of helping them. If they continue to struggle with their schoolwork, you can ask your local authority to carry out a statutory assessment. In the UK, this assessment may show that your child should have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. The statement will explain their specific special educational needs in detail, and how these will be met.

Schools

In UK law, you have a right to choose a school that is suitable for your child. Most children with special educational needs attend mainstream schools. Sometimes, however, children with epilepsy and severe learning difficulties can be better cared for at special schools. Your local authority can supply a list of special schools in your area. There is also a very small number of schools in the UK specifically for children with epilepsy. Your local authority, along with the NHS, may be able to provide funding for your child to go to one of these schools.

Local services

Local authorities have a duty to provide a range of services for children with epilepsy, who may have special needs. These services include:

• medical care
• day care
• advice, information and counselling
• after school activities
• help with transport and holidays 
• short term or respite care
• cultural, social and leisure activities

Your family doctor, epilepsy specialist nurse, health visitor, staff at your local social services agency or local authority can advise you about these services.