Growing up with Epilepsy : A Practical Guide for Parents

by Lynn Bennett Blackburn, Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9781888799743
• ISBN10: 1888799749
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-06-10
• Publisher: Demos Health

Summary

Children with epilepsy can grow into independent, effective adults. To dohis, they need discipline to build appropriate behavior, social skills sohat they will be accepted, and the educational background that provides theasis for eventual employment. The goal of this book is to provide you withhe tools to discipline your child, to support social development and toegotiate the educational system, being an effective advocate for your child.he unpredictability of seizures and the potential side-effects of medicationften results in confusion about what is fair to expect for the child withpilepsy. Confronting misunderstanding from others leaves you in the role ofpilepsy educator, a role that you may feel ill-prepared to undertake. Eachtage in your child's life provides unique issues to address, issues rangingrom finding day care to school programming to driving. Children withpilepsy can grow into independent, effective adults. To do this, they neediscipline to build appropriate behavior, social skills so that they will beccepted, and the educational background that provides the basis for eventual

Author Biography

Lynn Bennett Blackburn, Ph.D. is a pediatric neuropsychologist at St. Louis Children's Hospital. She works with the families and children receiving care through the Pediatric Epilepsy Center, a joint program of Children's Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine, as well as serving on the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation of the St. Louis Region

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xi
THE BASIC TOOLS
1. Understanding Epilepsy	1	(12)
2. The Challenges of Living with Epilepsy	13	(10)
3. Dealing with the Demon at the Dinner Table	23	(10)
4. Epilepsy Goes to School	33	(18)
EFFECTS OF FOCAL EPILEPSY: A GUIDE TO BRAIN ORGANIZATION
5. The Frontal Lobes	51	(14)
6. The Temporal Lobes	65	(10)
7. The Occipital and Parietal Lobes	75	(8)
CHANGING CHALLENGES; CHANGING AGE
8. Epilepsy During the First Two Years	83	(12)
9. Epilepsy in the Preschool Years	95	(12)
10. Epilepsy in the Elementary School Years	107	(4)
11. Epilepsy in the Adolescent Years	111	(20)
12. Some Final Words for Parents	131	(6)
Appendix A: Model Individual Education Plan for Children with Epilepsy	137	(16)
Appendix B: Driving and Epilepsy	153