Contents:
- Medical Video: Epilepsy's Impact on Learning: Working with Schools | Growing Up with Epilepsy
- What can be done to help children in learning?
Medical Video: Epilepsy's Impact on Learning: Working with Schools | Growing Up with Epilepsy
School activities can be difficult if your child has epilepsy. For example, if a child has learning problems due to seizures or drugs, doing school work will be more difficult and your child may see his classmates learn quickly, while he cannot follow.
Some learning problems that can be experienced by children with epilepsy:
- Academic problems: difficulty reading, writing, counting
- Language problems: difficulty understanding, speaking and communication
- Problems with attention and concentration: children can be less attentive, hyperactive, or both. Can only concentrate on a short time.
- Inaction: It takes longer to process new information or complete tasks than other children
- Memory: children can learn a topic repeatedly, but don't remember it the next day
In addition, children with epilepsy may also have disabilities in learning related to seizures, sleep patterns, and pediatric drugs. These disorders can change from day to day or hour to hour.
Nighttime seizures or poor sleep patterns caused by abnormal brain activity can increase fatigue when at school. As a result, children become less attentive in learning. Activity of seizures that are not seen while in school can cause the process of understanding information that has just been learned more slowly. Children who have seizures in school can experience memory disorders that cause them to forget what they just learned. In certain cases, they cannot remember what happened before the seizure.
Some anti-epilepsy drugs (topiramate) can also slow down the information process in some children, and some other anti-epileptic drugs can cause fatigue which reduces a child's ability to learn.
What can be done to help children in learning?
Important initial intervention is given. In some cases, assessment of educational psycho or neuropsychological tests can help identify problem areas and areas of excellence in children, and provide information.
Children who have seizures and learning difficulties need a well-structured environment. Experience has shown that the best way to teach children who have difficulty paying attention or remembering is to use direct instructions and one by one. In some cases, special educational programs are needed. Children who are more mature who have learning difficulties can take part in a high school program or elective program well.
Talk to your child about his experiences in school and the difficulties he has experienced. This can help you understand the situation, how he feels, and how you can help him overcome the problem. Gather support from the epilepsy care team, teachers in schools, epilepsy organizations and other groups.
Creating a supportive environment in school from teachers and classmates can help your child increase the potential for learning.
If your child does not have enough support, find out what your child's rights are and try to support that.
You might be able to discuss the following suggestions with your child's teachers:
- Establish clear rules and expectations in class
- Put your child at the front of the class to help him focus and avoid distractions
- Provide fewer written tasks
- Install a daily schedule that children can follow visually
- Using visual tools, such as graphics and illustrations, if your child has problems with visual or visual-spatial memory
- Use physical assistance, such as pointing or closing part of a book page
- Using "stop and think" techniques that can teach children to monitor behavior and think before doing something
- Use a consistent format for instructions
- Using audiobooks
- Provide additional time for tests and assignments, and give extra time for children to respond in class
- Provides additional assistance in problem areas
- Ask the child to repeat instructions, to make sure he understands the instructions
- Make a modified learning method
- Create a system where other students in the class can become tutors for your child
- Provide special teaching
- Check your child every day to see how his condition and feelings are
- Use keywords or sentences to attract children's attention
At home, children can be helped by an environment that is rich in language and numbers. Reading stories and counting together, working on math problems, and reading exercise books can support learning. Your child's siblings can also help. The teacher or school can provide recommendations that can be used at home.
In the end, you can help your child by finding interesting skills or areas where your child has talent. Focus on the success of the child. Give an opportunity for your child to show his abilities.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
