If your child is going to go on to higher education, it’s good to prepare in advance for the lifestyle changes and support they may need.
It is important to note, that once your child is in higher education, communication will be directly with the student rather than the parent or carer communicating on their behalf.
On this page you’ll find useful information on managing emotional and mental well being, extra practical and academic support, disabled students’ allowances, legal protections, and more.
Managing lifestyle changes
Going to university brings huge changes for every young person and their families.
This could be the first time your child – now a young adult – lives away from home. They’re going to make new friends and have to adjust to a new way of life.
They’ll need to be aware that lifestyle changes can affect their epilepsy control. They should be aware that:
- They’ll need to manage lack of sleep and exposure to stress, both of which are common among students
- They should take their anti-seizure medication regularly as prescribed and not skip doses
- Alcohol and recreational drugs could have an impact on their seizures and medication . They should talk to their doctor or epilepsy nurse for more information.
They should especially avoid alcohol binges and recreational drugs are known to increase the risk of seizures.
Seizure control is important as frequent seizures increase the risk of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy), Encourage your child to speak with their epilepsy doctor/nurse about SUDEP.
Your child could consider using the EpSMon app to help them keep track of their epilepsy, risks and wellbeing.
SUDEP Action have more information on their website.
You should also encourage your child to tell their new friends about their epilepsy.
This will help them to feel more supported and make it easier follow a lifestyle with better epilepsy control.
Emotional and mental wellbeing support
Even when your child is prepared with all of the above information, all the lifestyle changes can be difficult for a young person with epilepsy.
Their confidence may be low or they may start to feel anxiety or depression.
If so, they can call the university’s nightline service if they need emotional help or have queries about practical issues.
Make sure your child knows about their university’s nightline service, including all the ways it can be contacted, before they leave home.
Extra support from the university
Epilepsy can affect memory and concentration, so your child might benefit from extra support.
The university’s student disability services can advise about getting practical and academic support, including technology, lecture handouts and extra time for exams.
Equality
Young people with epilepsy are protected from disability discrimination. Universities are required to take reasonable steps (known as ‘reasonable adjustments’) to ensure that a young person with epilepsy is not at a substantial disadvantage compared to their peers.
Disabled Students’ Allowance
The university can also help with applications for funding. The Disabled Students’ Allowance can help to cover some of the extra education costs related to epilepsy, including:
- A dictaphone
- Dictation software
- A laptop and printer
- Computer or laptop with an anti-glare screen
- Software to adjust the lighting and colour on a screen
To apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance, depending on where you are from in the UK, click on the links below:
