Developmental Disabilities: Epilepsy KNR 270

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES Defined Severe, chronic disability Attributable to mental or physical impairment Manifested before age 22 0-18/22, during developmental stages Likely to continue indefinitely Results in substantial limitations in life activities May need life long services Range from mild to severe

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABIITIES Intellectual disability (Mental retardation) Cerebral palsy Epilepsy Autism

SEIZURE Seizure defined Sudden alteration in behavior or motor function, consciousness Involuntary motor activities Caused by abnormal electrical discharge from brain Any one can have a seizure under the right circumstance, if threshold is passed Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy

EPILEPSY Defined Provoked Tendency to experience recurrent seizures 2 or more seizures Not provoked Provoked Seizure has a defined cause Once cause disappears, no more seizures Tendency to experience recurrent seizures Electrical system in brain malfunctions

EPILEPSY 70-80% have seizures controlled Episodic disability Medications like Phenobarbital, Dilantin, Tegretol Episodic disability Psychological and social problems connected Often secondary disability (MR, CP, TBI)

Epilepsy No single cause 50% unknown Scar tissue Head injury Genetic Lack of oxygen at birth Infectious disease

TYPES OF SEIZURES Generalized Effects all of brain Tonic - clonic / Grand Mal / Convulsive Auras Tonic: stiffening of body, hold breath Clonic: rhythmic contractions Post-ictal: confused, sore muscles, fatigued Most common seizure Lasts several to 5 minutes

TYPES OF SEIZURES Generalized continued Absence / Petit Mal / Nonconvulsive Simple starring Twitching of hand, arm, eyelids Automatisms: picking at clothes 5-30 seconds Showers of seizures 50-100 times/day

TYPES OF SEIZURES Partial / focal/ local Febrile seizure Effects only part of brain Febrile seizure Fever with childhood illness Convulsions are generalized Relatively common Not connected with epilepsy

STATUS EPILEPTICUS 1 seizure after another Prolonged seizure 5 minutes Or 2-3 minutes longer than normal Medical emergency

Considerations/ Accommodations

What would you do if someone had a seizure in your program?

Considerations/Accommodations Strobe lights can trigger in some people Once seizures are controlled, person should be able to participate in sports & physical activity Watch (supervise/buddy system) Swimming & water activities Climbing & falls Direct contact (e.g., soccer)