Educational and Behavioral Problems in Children With Epilepsy

Many children with epilepsy, a condition in which the electrical activity of the central nervous system is disturbed and is often accompanied by seizures, often receive mainstream education and are not restricted to day-to-day activities. However, researchers from Utrecht in The Netherlands have studied children diagnosed with epilepsy and found that they are more likely to require special education services and have more behavioral problems.

Fifty-one children recently diagnosed with epilepsy with no apparent underlying cause underwent neurological and psychological testing three times within the first year after their epilepsy diagnosis. The tests measured learning, memory, academic skills, and mental and motor speed. The children's parents and teachers also completed questionnaires about each child's behavior in the classroom. The children with epilepsy were compared to a group of classmates the same age who did not have epilepsy.

Fifty-one percent of children with epilepsy required special education services, compared to only 27% of children without the diagnosis. Children with epilepsy also had worse scores on cognitive and behavioral tests, and parents and teachers rated children with epilepsy as having more behavioral problems. Researchers also observed that children who were not able to adapt positively to the epilepsy diagnosis (and who had parents who weren't able to adapt) were more likely to have an increased risk of cognitive and behavioral problems.

What This Means to You: Children with epilepsy may be more likely to need special education services. Children with epilepsy may also be at higher risk for behavior problems. According to the results of this study, being unable to adapt to the diagnosis - on the part of both parents and children - may increase the risk of problems.

If your child has a chronic condition such as epilepsy, develop positive working relationships with health care professionals, teachers, and others who play important roles in your child's life. Ask questions and learn all you can about your child's illness. It may also be helpful to join a support group or meet regularly with other parents of children with your child's condition. Talk to your child's doctor or specialist about local groups in your area that can offer support and understanding to both you and your child.

Source: Kim J. Oostrom, PhD; Anneke Smeets-Schouten, PhD; Cas L.J.J. Kruitwagen, MSc; A.C. Boudewyn Peters, MD, PhD; Aagje Jennekens-Schinkel, PhD (for the Dutch Study group of Epilepsy in Childhood); Pediatrics, December 2003

Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: January 2004

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