Epilepsy describes a range of brain conditions where abnormal electrical activity causes repeated seizures. Epilepsy can affect a person’s awareness, behaviour, body movements and senses.

If you believe your child might be having a seizure, please call triple zero (000) or seek medical advice.

There are two main types of seizures. Focal seizures begin in one part of the brain and may or may not affect consciousness, while generalised seizures involve the entire brain and do affect consciousness.

Children and young people with CP who have cognitive challenges or an intellectual disability often suffer from epilepsy.

You should always seek the advice of your healthcare team when your child has experienced a seizure. If they have had one seizure, this does not necessarily mean they have epilepsy.

Epilepsy is usually diagnosed after several seizures and can be managed with medication.

Diagnosing epilepsy can sometimes be challenging:

• It may be difficult to provide a history or describe behaviours that could point to seizure activity
• Children with CP may have involuntary movements, particularly in dystonic/dyskinetic or ataxic CP, breath-holding spells, or syncope (fainting). Mannerisms, movements or behaviours because of their CP can be unrecognized seizures.
• Potential difficulty enduring some medical investigations that are necessary to diagnose epilepsy.

For a child or young person with CP and epilepsy who is attending school, not knowing how others will react if they have a seizure can be stressful. It is important that the school is aware of their needs and situation and has been given a copy of their epilepsy management plan. Check what processes the school has in place to support them effectively.

Resources, such as the Epilepsy Smart Schools program, are available to provide information and guidance for primary and secondary school teachers, teaching assistants and tutors, who all have an important role in supporting students with CP and epilepsy. They help protect students’ safety, inclusion and wellbeing in and outside the classroom.