Inclusion and participation of children with epilepsy in schools

An in-depth study to gain an understanding of the views of children with epilepsy, their parents and staff regarding inclusion and participation of children with epilepsy in school. 

Childhood epilepsy can have very significant negative implications for schooling. A systematic review of teacher knowledge and attitudes revealed deficits in knowledge and negative attitudes were pervasive across all studies. School staff often have a negative attitude towards the participation of children with epilepsy in physical activities/sport, and teachers often feel ill-equipped to deal with management of seizures and administration of emergency medication, highlighting the risk that students with epilepsy could be excluded from learning and social opportunities. The studies which have compared epilepsy to other chronic medical conditions indicate that not only have school staff limited knowledge of epilepsy but have more negative attitudes towards it.