MANAGEMENT OF SEIZURES IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

An ABSENCE SEIZURE involves brief, sudden lapses of consciousness. They're more common in children than adults. Someone having an absence seizure may look like he or she is staring into space for a few seconds. This type of seizure usually doesn't lead to physical injury.  Absence seizures usually can be controlled with anti-seizure medications. Some children who have them also develop other seizures. Many children outgrow absence seizures in their teens.

A GRAND MAL SEIZURE — also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure — features a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. It's the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures in general.  Grand mal seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain. Most of the time grand mal seizure is caused by epilepsy. In some cases, however, this type of seizure is triggered by other health problems, such as extremely low blood sugar, high fever or a stroke.  Many people who have a grand mal seizure will never have another one. However, some people need daily anti-seizure medications to control and prevent future grand mal seizure.

In order for the child with seizures to receive appropriate medical care at school the parent must provide:

1. Seizure Emergency Action Plan- completed by the parent

2. Physician Authorization for Medication Form- completed by the physician, signed by the parent

3. Seizure medication as recommended by the physician

REFERENCES

Mayo Clinic.  (2015). Disease and Conditions:  Absence Seizures. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/petit-mal-seizure/basics/definition/con-20021252

Mayo Clinic.  (2015). Disease and Conditions: Grand Mal Seizures. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/grand-mal-seizure/basics/definition/con-20021356