E: Epilepsy as a Barrier to Learning

Question 1

TYPES OF EPILEPSY (3)

Answer 1

1. Petit Mal/ Absence
2. Grande Mal/ Convulsive General Seizures
3. Partial Seizures

Question 2

PETIT MAL/ ABSENCE (7)

Answer 2

1. Involves whole brain
2. Immediately loses consciousness
3. Happens very quickly
4. Learner can’t move & stares aimlessly
5. Looks like daydreaming but it is not
6. Functions normally after seizure but can’t remember what happened during seizure
7. Can happen many times in the same day

Question 3

GRANDE MAL/ CONVULSIVE GENERAL SEIZURES (5)

Answer 3

1. Involves whole brain
2. Some seizures cause person to fall to ground because of convulsions that involve all muscles
3. Some seizures involve tonic convulsions -> extremely tense spasms
4. Before seizure experience aura
   a. Different sensations
   i. See moving light spots
   ii. Hear bells
   iii. Smell strange smells
5. After seizure experience
   a. Temporary confusion, headaches, speech problems & paralysis

Question 4

SUPPORTING LEARNERS WHO ARE HAVING A SEIZURE IN CLASS (6)

Answer 4

1. Observe learner for any signs that may indicate learner is having a seizure
2. Ensure they don’t fall
3. Remove objects near learner to prevent injury
4. Move to safe environment to prevent injury
5. Loosen clothes to help breathing
6. Push to side to allow excess sliver to fall out of mouth to prevent choking

Question 5

SUPPORTING LEARNERS WITH EPILEPSY (8)

Answer 5

1. Observe learners & report any strange behaviour to parents & doctors
2. Ensure they take medication regularly
3. Encourage parents to only take child to one doctor
   i. Going to different doctors & using different doses of medication can negatively affect learner
4. Treat learner the same as other learners
   i. Firm but Caring
5. Help them develop positive self-image -> show good points
6. Encourage learners to allow them to participate with them
7. Encourage them to participate in all activities (helping when needed) to keep active & focused to prevent seizures & socially develop
8. Warn learners not to make fun of them

Question 6

HIDDEN EPILEPSY

Answer 6

HIDDEN EPILEPSY DEFINITION

1. Don’t show obvious signs of epilepsy
2. Have learning and behavioural problems & mood swings
3. Happen quickly, unexpectedly & sporadically

HIDDEN EPILEPSY SUPPORT

4. Teacher should carefully observe learner to see if behaviour is strange
5. Teacher should stay calm & be realistic when evaluating learner
6. If problems get worse teacher should recommend that the learner see a specialist