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Teaching Strategies



    1. Children with "absence" seizures frequently blank out during the day causing them to miss relevant instructions and content.  Try to repeat instructions several times or use a consistent 'step-by-step' strategy for them to follow.
    2. Establish a 'buddy system' for the child with seizures.  The buddy can answer questions, and provide missed class work and homework.
    3. Ask the child with epilepsy if they would prefer to sit at the front of the class to aid in concentration.
    4. Use physical prompts (pointing to a page, writing on the blackboard) to help keep the student oriented.
    5. After a seizure the child may be too exhausted to write a test or give a presentation to the class.  While it is important to maximize the amount of instruction time by keeping the child in the classroom it may also be necessary to modify expectations based on seizure activity.
    6. Try to make the child's experience as 'normal' as possible. It is important not to be overprotective, or to allow exemptions or restrictions in the early years to damage a child's emotional growth.
    7. Do not allow the child to carry out any activity more than 1 m (3') off the ground, e.g. gym class, in the playground.
    8. Children should be allowed to go swimming, but with adult supervision.



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Last Modified: 07/17/2006 01:18:17 PM