Epilepsy education for teachers: Creating epilepsy-smart schools in India

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Schools can be an important focus for screening of children for epilepsy, as well as educational efforts to address basic knowledge, stigma, and misconceptions associated with epilepsy. Schools also are an appropriate and necessary place to provide seizure first aid to affected students, teachers, and staff, as well as rescue medications when needed.

There is strong stigma around epilepsy in India;  parents may deny that a child has epilepsy, even if a community health worker has observed the child having seizures. And teachers and school administrators can be reluctant to allow children with epilepsy to attend school. This, combined with the social stigma of epilepsy and possible learning and cognitive issues, can lead to academic underachievement, lost opportunities, and poor quality of life into and throughout adulthood.

To better understand the epilepsy treatment gap in children, as well as to begin addressing the gap on a school-based level, Dr. Sulena Singh and colleagues developed a three-year project of surveys and training activities.

Dr. Sulena is in the Division of Neurology, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India.

The project is supported by an ad hoc grant (No.5/4-5/189/Neuro / 2019-NCD-1) from the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.

Read more about the project on the ILAE website.

This episode was reported, edited and produced by Nancy Volkers.

Contact ILAE with feedback or episode ideas at [email protected]

Sharp Waves content is meant for informational purposes only and not as medical or clinical advice. The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.

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The International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.