Learn as much as you can about raising a child with epilepsy.
Brochures, Video & More
To help you learn as much as you can about raising a child with epilepsy, the Epilepsy Foundation has put together this “library” of brochures, manuals, videos, podcasts and other materials. Check back often for updates.
General Epilepsy Information
- No More Seizures – overview of epilepsy and seizure treatment
- Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders: A Resource Guide for Parents – comprehensive, easy-to-read guide to epilepsy treatment with forms and tips to support good care
- Manual for Parents of Children with Epilepsy – includes an overview of “What You Should Know” and a comprehensive list of resources
- Seizure First Aid – Short video demonstrates what to do if a child has a tonic clonic seizure
Tools to Help Manage Care
- Log to help track important information about your child’s seizures for your doctor
- Charts and drawings to help you describe your child’s seizures to the doctor
- Form to help you plan for and take notes at doctor visits
- Online tool for tracking seizures
- Log to keep track of your child’s medication history
- Online site that can help you develop the forms and calendars you need to monitor your child’s health care
- Online resource for finding information, tools and ideas that focus on youth with special health care needs.
School & Day Care
- Getting Ready For Back To School – article with tips on how parents can work with their children’s teachers and school nurses
- Education & Day Care – overview of issues children might face and regulations that can protect them
- Legal Rights of Children with Epilepsy in School & Child Care – comprehensive guide to help parents protect their children’s rights
- Information for your child's school:
- Forms and materials that can help school nurses and teachers understand what epilepsy is and know what to do in case of a seizure
- Seizure training video and PowerPoint
- Planning Ahead – article and recorded seminar on how to develop a seizure emergency plan
Links for Babysitters
Information you can print or e-mail to your babysitter:
Teen & Family Issues
- I Have Epilepsy and this is My Story – video of teens talking about how epilepsy affects their friendships and day-to-day lives
- You Are Not Alone – toolkit developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; includes video, audio and materials for teens and their parents
- Fatherhood Podcast – Randy Siegel of Parade Magazine and Greg Grunberg of NBC's Heroes share their experiences as fathers of children with epilepsy
- Excelling with Epilepsy [NEEDS LINK]– video of D.J. Hapa and friends having fun with music and art at an Epilepsy Foundation camp
Children's Books
- My Friend Matty: A Story About Living with Epilepsy – A colorful picture book about the active, happy life of a third grade boy with epilepsy. Click here to read the book online or order a copy of it. It is also available in Spanish.
- Because You Are My Friend - A very simple, easy to understand story in which a boy tells his friends that he has epilepsy and that “I know you’ll understand.”
- All About Epilepsy – stories for children about how epilepsy affects different families. Pages can be printed for children to color in the simple line drawings
- The Get Going Gang – This fun, easy-to-understand coloring book teaches young children about epilepsy. Print out pages for your child to color or request a free copy of the book by e-mailing your name and address to parentinfo@efa.org.
From the Experts
Studies and Reports:
- Ask the expert. Mood disorders in children with epilepsy. Dr. David Dunn answers your questions.
- Teachers' knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes toward students with epilepsy (PDF)
- Children with seizures exhibit preferences for foods compatible with the ketogenic diet (PDF)
- Preventing depression in adolescents with epilepsy (PDF)
- Impact of epilepsy characteristics and behavioral problems on school placement in children (PDF)
- Kids' perception about epilepsy (PDF)
- Impact of Epilepsy in Adolescence (PDF)
The Exchange – online archive of translated health education materials and information on health care issues.
