What is Epilepsy? What is Epilepsy? What Causes Epilepsy? What Causes Epilepsy? Video Problems in the Classroom Problems in the Classroom Overall Quiz Overall Quiz To Ms. Bashiru’s Class

Our topic for today’s lesson is EPILEPSY Learners: 8 th 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 8 th grade classroom. NEXT

Alright! Lets get started with a Video. NEXT

What Kind of disability can you talk about in the video you just watched? AA Visual Impairment BB CC Epilepsy Asthma

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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 Next

STATISTICS OF EPILEPSY Next

ACTIVITIES What does epilepsy looks like? AA A person goes limp and falls straight to the ground. BB A person who easily forget things. CC Falling asleep any time.

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

Highest cause of epilepsy in the teen/middle ages. Common chemical imbalances that can produce seizures: Alcohol Cocaine Low blood sugar Low oxygen Low blood sodium/calcium Kidney failure Liver failure BACK

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 Infections Alcohol Stimulant drugs BACK

About half of the time seizures occur, no cause can be identified. Seizures can luckily be treated without knowledge of the cause. HOME

Problems in the classroom caused by Epilepsy Next

A 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. BACK

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 material Cueing Mnemonics Provide extra time Non-timed assessments Provide several brief tests instead of one long one Test for understanding rather than specific facts A 504 plan can be implemented BACK

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

Many 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 BACK

ACTIVITIES What 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

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Correct! The most common cause of epilepsy is multiple gene abnormalities or a gene abnormality along with an environmental trigger. Next Question Next Question

What does epilepsy NOT look like? Convulsions or sudden falls Blank staring Period of shouting Trance-like behavior

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Correct! Next Question 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 Next Question

Correct! Yes, a student with epilepsy is eligible for a 504 plan Next Question 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

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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 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

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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: AA BB CC DD

2. Alcohol can be dangerous for a person with epilepsy because: AA BB CC DD A and B

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

5. What causes epilepsy? Type Your Answer in the black box Next

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Good Job!!! NEXT 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.

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Good Job! NEXT 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.

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