Students with Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)

There are three main types of seizures; grand mal, petit mal, and partial.

• Grand mal seizures are characterized by loss of consciousness, stiffening or shaking of the body, jerking of the limbs and irregular breathing. These episodes will normally only last a few minutes and the student normally suffers no injury unless a fall results.

• Petit mal seizures can take the form of having a "blank spell", losing awareness, twitching staring and blinking. These symptoms usually are of short duration. This is sometimes mistaken for daydreaming or inattentiveness.

• Partial seizures may involve confusion accompanied by aimless movements (pacing, hand-rubbing and irritability). This may occasionally be mistaken for alcohol or drug abuse.

Most students with epilepsy require no special accommodations. If a student has active seizures he/she is encouraged to let their instructor know any special precautions or procedures that may be required in the event of a seizure. (Please refer to the appendix for information concerning first aid for epileptic seizure).

Academic Accommodations

The need for academic accommodations typically arises secondary to the use of medications for the control of seizures. Side effects due to medications, such as, drowsiness, slowed response time, shortened attention span or lack of focus may occur. If a student has frequent small seizures a note taker can be used to make sure the student does not miss lecture information. Extended time on tests may also be needed.

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50                                      Revised 02/08