What is Epilepsy?

What Causes

Epilepsy?

Video

Problems in the

Classroom

Overall Quiz

To Ms. Bashiru’s Class

Our topic for today’s lesson is EPILEPSYLearners: 8th Grade Learning Objective: By the end of the lesson you will be able to identify and discuss common issue/concerns facing teens with epilepsy

To know how to keep someone safe when they have a seizure

Begin to appreciate how their behavior might affect someone with epilepsy.

The kind if assistive technology that will work best for student with epilepsy.

Learning Environment: West Lafayette Junior or Senior High Schools 8th grade classroom.

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Alright! Lets get started with a Video.

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What Kind of disability can you talk about in the video you just watched?

A Visual Impairment

B

C

Epilepsy

Asthma

I Knew You Had It In You!

CORRECT!

HOME

Oops!

Keep On Trying!

BACK

NOPE!!

BACK

What is epilepsy?

A disorder of the brain characterized by seizures that recur.

What does epilepsy look like? Convulsions or sudden falls

Distortion of the child’s environment

Blank staring Trance-like behavior Next

Lets talk about the characteristics of epilepsy.

jerking movements or stiffening of the arms and legs.

You may notice smacking of the lips.

Twitching of the face

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STATISTICS OF EPILEPSY

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ACTIVITIES

What does epilepsy looks like?

A A person goes limp and falls straight to the ground.

B A person who easily forget things.

C Falling asleep any time.

Oh No!!!!

BACK

CORRECT!!!

You're The Greatest!

HOME

Words in blue font should be clicked

and will take you to an informational

slide. NEXT

What can cause epilepsy?

Chemical Imbalances

Brain Injuries

???Most common cause: Multiple gene abnormalities or a gene abnormality along with an environmental trigger

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Chemical Imbalances

Highest cause of epilepsy in the teen/middle ages.

Common chemical imbalances that can

produce seizures:AlcoholCocaine

Low blood sugarLow oxygen

Low blood sodium/calciumKidney failureLiver failureBACK

Brain Injuries

Number 1 cause of seizures in the first year.

In the first year:Birth Trauma

Infections: Meningitis, Congenital abnormalities, high fever

In the middle years:Head injuries

InfectionsAlcohol

Stimulant drugsBACK

???

About half of the time seizures occur, no cause

can be identified. Seizures can luckily be

treated without knowledge of the cause.

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Problems in the classroom caused by Epilepsy

Missed Instruction

Poor Work Completion

Interpersonal and Emotional Problems

Cognitive and Academic Impairment

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Missed InstructionA study found that students with epilepsy, on average,

missed 5 days out of 6 months due to their epilepsy.

Doctor’s appointments, seizure testing, and days with seizures lead to entire day absences.

Virtually unnoticeable seizures can happen over 100 times a

day, leading to loss of information.

On average, two-thirds of students who have a

noticeable seizure go home immediately.

What can teachers do to help?Emphasize the importance of

attendance to parents. Create an individual plan that addresses

when it is necessary for the student to go home and when it is safe for them to stay at school.

Frequent home-school communication.

Address medically relevant changes, assignments to be completed, amount of seizures, time of seizures, and how each

seizure has been handled.

Be as educated as possible about our

students with epilepsy.

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Poor Work Completion

Students with epilepsy have issues with attention, concentration, and short term memory. Students with

epilepsy may be trying their hardest, yet may still be unable to complete work.

Working memory and language can be disrupted for a brief time (3-10 seconds) by a tiny glitch in the brain.

This small time of disruption can lead to confusion and therefore poor work completion.

What canteachers do to help these students?

Repetition of materialCueing

MnemonicsProvide extra time

Non-timed assessmentsProvide several brief tests instead of one long one

Test for understanding rather than specific facts

A 504 p

lan ca

n be implem

ente

d

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Interpersonal and Emotional Problems

Research shows that children with epilepsy see their characteristics much

worse than other people see them. These children feel a loss of control and

learned helplessness.

Low self esteem predicts poor academic performance

More than twice as many students with epilepsy than students without epilepsy

report being bullied at school.

What teachers can do to help Get in contact with the school

psychologist or family about the signs you have noticed.

Limit their overprotection. Allow the student to do everything that a doctor

has cleared.

Talk to the class about epilepsy, the causes, and what they can do to help their friend. BACK

Cognitive and Academic ImpairmentMany students with epilepsy have IQ’s in the normal range, but

some research finds that as a whole, children with epilepsy have a lower IQ than children without epilepsy.

Depending in the kinds of seizures students have and what part of the brain they originate from

different effects will occur.

When symptoms of seizures improve, academics also improve!

What can teachers do to help? Refer the student to a professional who can give them a comprehensive

evaluation to determine strengths and weaknesses. Then try to match the instructional approaches to help that child succeed.

-Use examples and visual guidance-Allow recording of verbal material

-Provide written directions-Allow extended time for responses

-Slow down verbal instruction

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ACTIVITIESWhat is the most common cause

of epilepsy?

Multiple gene abnormalities or a gene abnormality along with an environmental trigger

Problems during the birthing process

Chemical Imbalances

Alcohol and other stimulant drugs

TRY AGAIN!

BACK

Correct!

The most common cause of epilepsy is multiple gene abnormalities or a gene abnormality along with an

environmental trigger.

Next Question

What does epilepsy NOT look like?

Convulsions or sudden falls

Blank staring

Period of shouting

Trance-like behavior

Try again!

BACK

Correct!

Next Question

True or false? A student with epilepsy is eligible for a 504 Plan?

True

False

Darn!

Yes, a student with epilepsy is eligible for a 504 plan

Next Question

Correct!

Yes, a student with epilepsy is eligible for a 504 plan

Next Question

What should we not do for our students with epilepsy?

Offer mnemonic devices

Record seizure times and activity

Talk to the class about epilepsy

Send the student home after every seizure

Try again!

BACK

Correct!

Students with epilepsy can fall behind in school very easily due to lack of attendance. If a student did not get injured during the seizure and

return without mass confusion, they can stay at the school. Always have this planned with parents and doctors before you automatically keep the

student in your classroom, however.

Next Question

What kind of assistive technology would work best for a student with

epilepsy? Electronic Screen Shield

Stereo Headphones

Head-Pointing Devices

Communication Boards

Try Again!

BACK

Correct!

The Electronic Screen Shield would be the most beneficial for a student with epilepsy. This screen shield would dim the light and

prevent blinking and twitching of lights that could promote a seizure.

You’re all done with Epilepsy!! Please record your score and begin to learn about a new

disability. HOME

QUIZ TIME!!!!!!

1. Seizures can be caused by:

Brain injury that left scar tissue or other damage

Infection that left scar tissue in or caused other damage to the brain

Malfunctioning gene

All of the above

A

B

C

D

2. Alcohol can be dangerous for a person with epilepsy because:

It can interfere with medication used to control seizures

It can cause seizures

It can cause a heart attack

A

B

C

D A and B

3. Every seizure destroys a number of nerve cells in the brain

True

False

Next Question

4. If you have had a seizure, it means you have epilepsy.

TRUE

FALSE

4. What is epilepsy?Type your answer in the black box

Next Question

5. What causes epilepsy?

Type Your Answer in the black box

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Try again!!!!

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Good Job!!!

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Many severe injuries and illnesses, such as a tumor, infection, or stroke, can cause seizures. Often, no definite cause for the seizures can be found. When seizures continue on a chronic basis without a clear, underlying cause, the condition is called epilepsy.

Oops!!! Keep trying

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Good Job!

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Alcohol can be dangerous when taken with sedatives such as Phenobarbital. Mixing alcohol with these drugs can lead to coma or death. Drinking large amounts of alcohol can increase the risk for seizures. Moderate drinking -- having a drink or two a day -- may or may not affect you. Talk with your health care provider to see if your medication or your condition may cause a problem if you drink.

Oh no!!

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Good!

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Don’t be mad at me. Keep trying

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Explanation:Having a single seizure does not necessarily mean that a person has epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures.