Improving Educational Outcomes: Identifying the Needs of Students with Epilepsy
Abstract number :
1.039
Submission category :
Year :
2000
Submission ID :
1411
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/2/2000 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2000, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Ann Marie K Bezuyen, Kathleen A Devlin, Epilepsy Fdn of Southern New York, Pearl River, NY.
RATIONALE: The successful management of epilepsy in the classroom relies heavily on the education of & interaction with the school nurses whose pivotal role crosses all grade levels. Input from these advocates and health educators can yield insight into the day to day activities and needs of young students with epilepsy as they move through the educational system. METHODS: A 10-item survey was sent to 764 schools in New York State. 110 school nurses from 136 schools caring for a total of 68,790 students responded. RESULTS: Survey results identified 440 (.64%) students with epilepsy experiencing Tonic Clonic seizures (57%), Absence (56%), Simple Partial (19%), Complex Partial (18%), Atonic (1.5%), Myoclonic (7%), Pseudoseizures (8%), Status Epilepticus (9%), Benign Rolandic Epilepsy (3%), Febrile seizures & Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (7%). Treatments seen include surgery (5%), Ketogenic Diet (6%), VNS (4%), AED's (82%). 47% nurses dispense AED's daily. 92% of the reporting schools have implemented emergency plans. School nurse replacements include an RN (70%), health aid or RN (18%), substitute teacher (2%), LPN or principal (1.5%), gym teacher, EMT, LPN or teaching assistant(<1%). 95% schools offer seizure information to substitute teachers. 95% schools offer students counseling. 36% of identified students (IS) are enrolled in special education. Related services include occupational & physical therapy, speech, counseling, adaptive physical education & remedial reading. 67% IS are known to be regularly reevaluated. 22% IS assigned teaching assistants requested by IEP (54%), parent (26%), MD (18%). 35% of schools impose some restrictions, including swimming, climbing, jumping, running, crawling & contact sports. CONCLUSIONS: School nurse comments indicate the need for current, understadable, epilepsy literature & teaching aids, school staff & fellow student education, increased communication with private physician, better classroom guidelines, parental involvement & instruction in mainstream educational support & mainenance. 80% schools requested seizure recognition & first aid training.