What should a teacher do if a child has epilepsy or a seizure in the classroom?

Question

Please mention any personal advice and/or websites with relevant information. Five stars to the best answer, guaranteed!

Answer 1

At the beginning of the year, you should receive emergency forms for all the children. If a child has epilepsy, it should be clearly described on the form--what kind of seizures the child has, how often, which medicines he takes, etc. If you have any questions, you should not hesitate to call the parents. They will appreciate it, and it will make you feel more prepared and secure if something happens in the classroom.

If a child has a grand mal seizure in the middle of class (and it is documented that the child has grand mal seizures), lay the child down and turn him on his side. This prevents the tongue from blocking the airway and also prevents the child from choking on saliva. Put something soft under his head (a sweatshirt, a small pillow, etc.), move any items, on which he may be likely to hurt himself, out of the way, then move back yourself. Time the seizure--any amount of time under 3 to 5 minutes is normal. If it lasts more than 5 minutes (3 for younger children), call the ambulance right away. This means he is in a condition called status epilepticus, and it could be fatal if not treated. During the seizure, do not attempt to restrain him, as this may make the flailing worse, and also puts you in physical danger. DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THE CHILD'S MOUTH. It is physically impossible to swallow the tongue, and anything you may put in the child's mouth will be apt to do more damage than good. After the seizure stops, the child is likely to fall into a deep sleep. Let him sleep. This is called the post-ictal period, and his body is recovering from what just happened.

Unless this is the child's first seizure, or he is in status epilepticus, it is usually not necessary to call the ambulance, only the parents. However, if a child who is not documented for epilepsy has a seizure, you should call the ambulance right away, regardless of how long the seizure lasts.

It should also be noted that grand mals are not the only kind of seizure. During a "simple partial" seizure, the child remains fully conscious, able to answer questions, make comments and may not shake at all. The child should be documented for these, though they're understandably subtler than other seizure types (though, mind you, no less serious). You may notice a simple partial if a child looks dazed or confused, or complains of strange sensations or thoughts. "Complex partials" usually involve shaking in some part of the body, though the child may still remain conscious and able to answer questions. "Absence" seizures, or "petit mals" as they are sometimes called, involve a child staring off into space for a period of time, completely unable to answer questions or respond. There is no shaking involved. Usually a child comes out of an absence seizure feeling confused, feeling like he has "lost time," which in a sense he has, but is usually alert and able to answer questions directly after coming out of it.

Simple partials, complex partials, and absence seizures usually do not require medical attention. However, again, if this is the child's first experience with seizures (or they last for more than 3-5 minutes), medical attention should be acquired immediately.

I hope that answered your question! I have epilepsy myself, and first-hand experience with most of these seizure types. Here are some websites you may find useful:

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org

http://www.epilepsy.com/

Answer 2

This website offers really good information.  http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site...

You should post this in your classroom because you may panic some and then you will have something to refer back to.  Also, you should talk to the parents, they may want you to call an ambulance every time their child has one and they will have some good advice for you as well.  If the parents and the student does not mind, you should also inform the students what to do.  Choose one child to go for help and one child to let a nearby teacher know.  That way if you feel that your students need to be moved immediately, the other teacher can help.  Hope this helps!

Answer 3

if you have a student with epilepsy in your class you should do some training, however in case of emergency, lie in recovery position, cover with blanket or jumper, keep others away from them and call an ambulance if they have hit their head in fall especially. I do not know how you can manage to give five stars though.

Answer 4

Prevent the other children from crowding the child.   Make sure the child is not going to hurt themselves - ie banging into chairs and table legs.   DO NOT try to grab their tongue!! you will get your fingers bitten. Send a responsible child for a predetermined adult.   As soon as the fitting has stopped turn the child into the recovery position (now you can check the tongue)   It may be that the person sent for is responsible for first aid in which case hand over responsibility and take your class to the hall etc to give the child space to recover - or the other adult can take your children and you stay with the child.  Get in touch with parents if child is recovering - if something obviously not right phone ambulance.    

Make sure that the proceedure is known to all staff and the class.   Depends how often the fits occur as to how the whole thing is dealt with.  The rest of the class may be used to them or maybe it is rare.  

See parents before child comes into your class so that you can agree on the strategies.

Answer 5

Make sure they don't bite their tongues and shield them from hurting themselves against anything in the way such as chairs and tables.

Any teacher involved with young children really should learn basic first aid.

Answer 6

Information about what to do is below. Hopefully the teacher has knowledge of which children under her care has epilepsy and has received information and perhaps practice of the measures to be taken. A student should go to get help so that the teacher is not the only adult present. The school nurse should also respond./

Answer 7

Realistically, if a child has a seizure, you're supposed to leave them alone to have the seizure, ensuring the area is clear of any objects/obstructions that they may harm themselves on. Don't try and stop them swallowing their tongue by shoving anything in their mouth as you'll probably harm them more! If possible, try and loosen any clothing around neck/head.

After the seizure is where it may differ from child to child. Bizarrely, I've had an epileptic child in my class for the past 3 years- one of them would have the seizure then just need a rest afterwards (and we'd let parents know). The other 2 required an ambulance to be called every time they fitted (which thankfully wasn't very often). If the child is unconscious afterwards, then put them in the recovery position and dial an ambulance or their doctor depending on your knowledge of the child.

I have to say personally, it's actually a horrible experience having to watch the child fit, and is probably even worse for the other children. However, just keep a calm head and try to act like it's an everyday thing happening! The majority of kids come through it absolutely fine!

(I've included some website links too)

Answer 8

gently get them to lay down on the floor and out something under their head so they dont get hurt then call 911 from the class phone

Answer 9

Keep that student as quiet and still as possible,never insert fingers or objects in that persons mouth, have another student go get the school nurse.Keep all other students calm and away from the seizing student.Other students could assist if they are teen agers, just to hold them if they are moving around.The site below will answer most of your questions.