These are common in children and are often associated with learning difficulties. This seizure type is often undiagnosed.

• This seizure type looks like a staring spell or daydreaming.
• The student experiences a brief loss of consciousness accompanied by eye blinking, slight muscle movements around the mouth, or arm movements.
• These seizures usually last 2-10 seconds but happen frequently throughout the day.
• After the seizure, the child will immediately regain full awareness and be able to resume full activity.
• Often go undiagnosed until a more significant seizure occurs.

  What You Can Do to Help Inform the parent that you believe the child may be having this type of seizure. Let the student know what they missed from the lesson/activity once he or she regains awareness. Pair the student up with a buddy who can help fill in the gaps. Repeat all expectations & instructions several times.

• These seizures are limited to one area of the brain.
• The student will not lose consciousness during a seizure
• The child's senses could be distorted causing him to see, hear, or smell experiences that are not real.
• He or she may have unusual feelings.
• This type of seizure usually lasts 1-5 minutes although it may last longer.
• One or more limbs may have jerky movements which cannot be stopped.

Complex Partial Seizures

• These seizures may cause the child to express a variety of inappropriate automatic behaviours such as tapping the desk, picking at clothes, making chewing movements, or wandering around.
• Student loses awareness of surroundings.
• This type of seizure usually lasts 1 to 5 minutes.
• Recovery will be gradual and the child may feel confused for a while after a seizure.
• Child cannot recall what happened during a seizure.

  What You Can Do to Help If the child wanders, gently lead him back to his seat. Speak to the child calmly and reassure him or her. Do not grab the student or speak loudly. Guide the child away from obvious hazards such as stairs, play equipment, or Bunsen burners. If the child is confused afterwards, help to re-orient him.

 

Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures


• At the start of a seizure, the child will cry out as the chest muscles contract, forcing air out of the lungs.
• The student will fall unconscious, his/her muscles will stiffen and then the extremities will jerk and twitch.
• The child may lose bladder and/or bowel control.
• The eyes may roll back and the child may drool.
• If the student bleeds from the mouth, it's probably because he or she has bitten his/her tongue.
• Breathing may be shallow or even stop temporarily, then return once the jerking movements stop.  This will cause the pulse to be weak and skin and lips to turn bluish – but colour will come back.
• These seizures usually last a few minutes but they may last considerably longer.
• The child may be confused and tired after the seizure.

  What You Can Do to Help Do NOT put anything in the child's mouth. Do not restrain the child. Move the child away from furniture or any other object which may harm them. Turn the child on his/her side to keep the air passage clear after the seizure is over. Place a pillow or jacket (whatever is handy) under the child's head. Try to provide a sense of security (talk in a calm voice). Let the child rest after the seizure is over. If the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes, phone for an ambulance. Note the time the seizure starts and ends.