Students with epilepsy often experience:

• academic problems

• language problems

• attention and concentration problems

• slower processing of information

• short-term memory loss

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Not all children experience learning disabilities, but many experience varying degrees of learning difficulties.  Short-term memory loss is one of the main concerns for many children with epilepsy. 

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Lack of sleep and sleep disturbances caused by abnormal brain activity can increase tiredness during the day.  This can make a child inattentive and less responsive during the school day. Children who have frequent absence seizures throughout the day may experience slower processing and the inability to consolidate and retrieve recent learned information. Children who have one seizure, let alone multiple, in one school day experience disruptions in their memory not allowing them to remember information taught before or after the seizure.  Anti-epileptic drugs (AED's) can cause fatigue or reduced processing of information for some children.

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A supportive classroom and school environment are beneficial for students with epilepsy.  If your child currently does not receive extra resources, speak to their teacher.  Advocate for your child's education and additional support in the classroom.  Also, create a positive educational environment for your child at home.  Ask them to review what they learned that day, create a quiet space for them to work on their homework, and support their triumphs.  Emphasize their successes and help them find ways to further develop and demonstrate these strengths.