Epileptic Son and Swimming?

Question

Hello,

My son has to take monitory swimming lessons at school.

He has grand mal seizures, diagnosed since he was 3, and has a form of autism and has a healthy fear of swimming (have a seizure in water and see how long you live). His doctors have always said to keep a eye on him even in the bath tub which I have always done. He is almost 13 now.....his eeg's show the left side of his body there is something wrong, he gets paralyzed and can not use his arms,legs his face drops, kinda nasty to see.

I asked him if he can keep his shirt on will he try? Since maybe he is just uncomfy undressing in front of other kids? This did not help and he is very upset. His special ed teacher is very good with him....but.

I told him I will talk to the school on his behalf, what would you do in such a situation?

This is causing him stress, which stress causes seizures and he is finally off all his drugs.

My seizures have been active therefor don't drive.

thanks!

Answer 1

The swimming lessons are mandatory? I would think in a situation like this, a doctor's note pardoning him from them would suffice. I doubt the school would like to be liable if he had a seizure while swimming. Perhaps ask if there is any possible way you can arrange for him to meet the swimming requirements by coming in at a later time and letting him do them without the rest of the class there?

Answer 2

As a parent of a special ed child - you have the power.   Most parents don't realize that they can call a meeting with the spec ed teacher, principal etc. and review the IEP.   If you want a change made, make it.  You have the power.

I would consider a plan that is confortable for your son and you and tell the school how it is going to be.   There is no need for anyone to suffer through emotional difficulties when there are enough problems.  

You might get him swimming in a YMCA program - there is usually a heated pool in your area and you can request assistance with this.   Our Salvation Army pool has a private dressing room and has people who assist the kids in a private place where they get dressed and undressed, get lowered into the pool, and swim with either the parent or a qualified professional.   Look into these programs in your area.

You can ask at the meeting if there is such a program in your area, however, don't expect the school to jump up with the answers.  It will cost them money perhaps or they will just lose the money for your son's IEP.     There are answers out there - you as the parent, just have to dig.  

One excellent resource is a Social Worker at your local hospital - they know about these programs usually.

As a parent - you are in charge and can change your child's world.  The schools don't tell you that - because some spec ed children have whacky parents that if they get too much power, they will not do what is in the best interest of the child.   But, you can do this.   Good luck.

Answer 3

As far as school systems go, I'm pretty unversed in swimming; however, I worked at a summer camp for children and adults with developmental disabilities at which we went swimming usually three times a day. Anyone who had had a petite mal seizure within the last three years and a grand mal within the past seven years was required to wear a life jacket and had a one on one staff person swim with them in the water who would never be more than an arm's length away at any time.

This may seem like a lot, but if he knows that he is safe he may not be as stressed out.  I'd bet after he gets more comfortable the supports could be faded, but its best to start with more than not have enough.

Answer 4

Obviously, the less stress your son has to deal with the better for him.  Grand mal seizures injure the brain and so the goal of everyone connected with your son has to be to lessen the occurrence of the seizures.  That being said, he will have to deal with stressors in his life because they are just a part of daily life, so now you need to help him confront a stressful situation, guide him through it to a successful conclusion and that will give him the self-confidence to tackle other stressful situations.  

If he were my son, I would go with him to a swimming pool, preferably when no one else but lifeguards were there, and work with getting him comfortable in the water.  Baby steps are necessary so he doesn't become so upset that he has a seizure.  You may just start with taking a trip to the pool, going in and looking at it, without getting near it.  Next time, maybe he can put his swimsuit on there, but still not get wet.  Work up to laying down near the side of the pool, head towards the water, feet away from the water and just touching the water with outstretched hand, and continue from there.  The point is to leave with him still wanting to do more at the pool, not having him pitch a fit about going there.

It may take a while, but I think the end result will be worth the time and effort you will be investing in creating a pattern of success in your son.

Answer 5

your son has a very special case, i would say that talking to the school board should make them see that forcing him into swimming lessons isn't going to be helpful or healthy for him.  If they insist that he does some sort of basic water training, see if it would be alright if he wore a life vest in the pool and stayed in the shallow end and had an aide or someone there with him at all times

Answer 6

You should ask if he can have someone in the water with him. He may not be confident enough to go in the water on his own - with his circumstances I don't blame him. If he has a seizure in the water the person who is with him can get him to the side of the pool and out before he has the chance to drown.

I haven't seen someone have a seizure in water but from the seizures I've seen I would say that it's not really that safe as you can't do anything while it is happening.

Answer 7

You are doing what a parent must do, and you are doing a great job.  My take on this as a person with epilepsy is that you should just let him skip this one.  Life is filled with way too many pointless challenges.  Make sure that he understands that there is a reason that this one is being skipped.  He has no business in the water and swimming in his case should just not be encouraged.  

Good luck to you.