A study by charity Young Epilepsy has found misconceptions in schools about the condition, including confusion about how it can present and a mistaken belief that convulsions are the only form of seizures.
The research includes first-hand accounts from children with the condition and finds that seizure symptoms and other difficulties related to epilepsy are sometimes misinterpreted as “naughtiness”.
On average, five students in every secondary school have epilepsy and half of all sufferers are said to underachieve at school.
The study – What Helps? What Hinders? – offers a series of recommendations for schools and calls for training to ensure school staff can recognise both the medical characteristics of epilepsy and the learning and psychosocial difficulties. The charity is offering free online training resources for schools.
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