If your child has epilepsy, it can be useful to develop a seizure action plan. Whether your child is at school, at a club or a holiday camp, you cannot always be there to help. But, by developing a seizure action plan, you can share this information with responsible adults, so they know what to do.
So, what exactly is a school seizure action plan, what does a seizure action plan include, and how do you create one?
Related: Taking care of yourself when looking after a person with epilepsy
What is a seizure action plan?
A seizure action plan is a document that provides information about your child’s seizures and what first responders should do to help care for your child. After creating a school seizure action plan with your child’s doctor, you can then share this document with their teacher, a school nurse, and other adults.
For teachers: Tips for teaching students with epilepsy
What are the benefits of a seizure action plan?
Creating a school seizure action plan has multiple advantages, including:
- Means first responders know what to do: Adults or medical professionals who care for your child can refer to the seizure action plan, so they know what to do if your child has a seizure.
- Appropriate care for your child: If you have created a school seizure action plan, then you know your child will get the right care if they have a seizure.
- Gives you peace of mind: Creating a seizure action plan means you can feel confident that the people looking after your child will be able to give them effective care.
- Avoids unnecessary/risky reactions: Sometimes, people panic if a child is having a seizure and they may call 911 unnecessarily. Alternatively, they may perform ill-informed attempts at first aid, which can do more harm than good. A seizure action plan gives people the information they need to give your child the right care.
What does a seizure action plan include?
Because every child’s epilepsy is different, the specific treatment and information included in their action plan will be unique to them. But, generally speaking, a seizure action plan includes the following details:
- Your child’s name, address and an emergency phone number
- Information about the kinds of seizures they have
- Information about how to respond to their seizures
- Quick first aid guidance, including the stay, safe, side protocol
- Information on when first responders should call 911
- Details on any rescue therapies your child uses, where they are stored, and how to use them
- Guidance for post seizure care
- A list of medications your child takes
- Information on your child’s seizure triggers
- The contact details for your child’s epilepsy treatment team
There are several trusted websites, including the Epilepsy Foundation, which provide seizure action plan PDFs you can fill in and customize.
Creating your child’s seizure action plan
If you are unsure about how to create a school seizure action plan, contact your child’s epilepsy treatment team and the school nurse, and work with them to produce a document which everyone understands and knows how to use.
Once you have finished creating the seizure action plan, it's really helpful to print off several copies and share them around with teachers, instructors and other adults who look after your child.
