Managing Epilepsy at School: A Guide for Teachers and Parents

School should be a place where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. For students living with epilepsy, that goal is absolutely within reach with understanding, preparation, and collaboration.

1. Introduction

• Context: Many teachers and parents may never have encountered a student with epilepsy, which can lead to uncertainty or anxiety.

• Purpose: This guide helps bridge that gap equipping teachers and parents with practical knowledge and tools to support students with epilepsy in the school setting.

2. Understanding Epilepsy in the School Setting

• What is epilepsy?
  A brief, accessible definition: a neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
  (See WHO for global facts about epilepsy, including prevalence and common misconceptions.) (World Health Organization)

• Types of seizures teachers may observe

  • Absence seizures may look like brief staring spells or daydreaming, often lasting a few seconds. A child can experience several absence seizures per day (brief lapses of awareness)

  • Focal / partial seizures can cause confusion, repetitive movements, or unusual sensations (may affect one part of body or awareness)

  • Generalized tonic-clonic seizures involve loss of consciousness and full body shaking (convulsions, full-body shaking)

Each child is unique
Seizure types, frequency, triggers, and recovery differ from student to student. Recognizing these differences is the first step toward providing effective support.

(For more background information, see the World Health Organization’s overview of epilepsy).

3. The Role of Teachers

Teachers are often the first to witness a seizure in the classroom, so their response is critical. Knowing what to do — and staying calm — helps ensure the student’s safety and comfort.

Recognizing and Responding

· Spotting seizure signs — Even subtle ones (e.g. brief staring, repetitive motions)

· First aid during a seizure

oStay calm and note the time when the seizure begins.

oKeep the student safe. Gently guide them away from danger and clear the area of hard or sharp objects.

oProtect the head. Place something soft under it and loosen tight clothing around the neck.

oDo not restrain the student or put anything in their mouth.

oStay with them until they are fully alert again, offering reassurance and privacy.

Call for medical help if:

1. Seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes

2. Another seizure follows immediately

3. The student is injured, has trouble breathing, or doesn’t wake easily

After a seizure, students may feel tired, disoriented, or embarrassed.

· Post-seizure support in class

o Give rest time or allow the student to go to the nurse

o Offer flexibility with deadlines or make-up work

o Watch for attention or memory difficulties

· Promoting inclusion

o Avoid drawing unnecessary attention to the incident

o Encourage empathy among classmates

o Avoid letting stigma or fear isolate the student

4. The Role of Parents

Parents play a vital role in preparing schools to handle seizures and support their child’s overall wellbeing.

Parents should:

• Provide a Seizure Action Plan (SAP)
  Share a completed, up-to-date SAP with the school (teachers, nurse, administrators).

• Keep the school informed
  Report changes in medications, seizure patterns, side effects.

• Empower your child
  Encourage age-appropriate self-advocacy (e.g. explaining their condition to trusted adults, or telling teachers when they feel unwell or sense a coming seizure).

• Regular check-ins
  Schedule meetings with teachers and staff to assess how things are going academically and socially.

When parents and educators share information and trust, students feel safer and more confident at school.

5. Creating a Seizure Action Plan

A good Seizure Action Plan (SAP) ensures that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. It typically includes:

1. Seizure types, usual duration, and recovery time

2. First aid steps (what to do immediately during a seizure)

3. Emergency / rescue medication instructions (if prescribed)

4. When to call 911 or seek help

5. Contact information (parents, neurologist, emergency contacts)

6. Student-specific considerations (known triggers, medical history, allergies)

Downloadable templates & resources

• Epilepsy Foundation’s fillable Seizure Action Plan (General / School Use) (Epilepsy Foundation)

• Child Neurology Foundation SAP (fillable) (Child Neurology Foundation)

• Acute Seizure Action Plan (shorter version) (Epilepsy Foundation)

• SAP examples and templates (various versions) (Seizure Action Plans)

Schools should keep accessible copies for relevant staff (teachers, nurses, administrators).

6. Supporting Academic & Emotional Wellbeing

Epilepsy can affect more than just physical health. Children with epilepsy may face challenges beyond seizures: For example:

• Fatigue — from seizures or medications

• Cognitive impacts — attention, memory, processing speed

• Emotional stress — anxiety about future seizures, feeling “different”

Here are some ways schools can help:

• Allow rest breaks after a seizure

• Give extra time for tests and assignments

• Provide quiet spaces if overwhelmed

• Maintain open dialogue — encourage students to share feelings

• Partner with school counselors or psychologists

• Implement peer education (age-appropriate) to reduce stigma

A child who feels understood and accepted is far more likely to succeed academically and socially.

7. Building a Supportive School Environment

Creating an epilepsy-aware environment goes beyond first aid — it’s about fostering inclusion and respect. Schools can take proactive steps by:

• Training & awareness
  Offer epilepsy / seizure first aid training to teachers and staff

• Student education
  Present a simple, respectful class lesson about epilepsy (myths vs realities)

• Promote empathy
  Encourage inclusive practices (buddy systems, peer support)

• Regular review & drills
  Practice “seizure drills” so staff know how to respond confidently (Epilepsy Foundation)

8. When to Seek Additional Support

• If seizures change in frequency, severity, or pattern

• When academic or emotional difficulties escalate

• Collaborate with neurologists, epilepsy specialists, or medical teams

• Engage local epilepsy support organizations

For additional resources, visit:

• Epilepsy Foundation

• International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE)

• Seizure Action Plans Resource Center

9. Conclusion & Call to Action

Children with epilepsy can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally, especially when schools and families work together in empathy and readiness. By understanding what epilepsy is, knowing how to respond to seizures, and working together with empathy, teachers and parents can create an environment where every child feels safe, capable, and included.

If this guide has been helpful:

• Share it with your school community (teachers, staff, parents)

• Download a Seizure Action Plan template and share it with your child’s school

• Subscribe to Demystifying Epilepsy for more resources, stories, and guides

• Let us know — comment your experience or questions below (or email us)

Together, we replace fear with knowledge, stigma with acceptance, and uncertainty with confidence, one classroom at a time. 💜

Free Resources

• Seizure Action Plan Template – Epilepsy Foundation (PDF)

• Child Neurology Foundation Seizure Plan (Fillable)

• Infographic: “What to Do When a Student Has a Seizure – 5 Key Steps”

• Epilepsy Preparedness and Safety Information