How you can be more involved

The first few times your child has a seizure can be a frightening experience. However, one of the best ways to remain calm and help your child is to learn as much as you can about epilepsy and your child's treatment. Be prepared by knowing how to best help your child during a seizure and read the following tips on how you can have a safer household:

• Keep a seizure diary that lists dates, how long the seizure lasted, severity, and events that might have triggered it. Bring this diary to every doctor's appointment.
• Put a baby monitor in your child's bedroom to alert you of any seizures during the night.
• Do not let your child sleep in the top bed of a bunk bed.
• Consider having your child wear a helmet with a faceguard if he or she falls a lot.
• Closely monitor your child's showers and baths.
• Make sure your child wears a life vest when around water.
• Give your babysitter a list of instructions:
  • What to do in case of a seizure
  • Doctor's phone numbers
  • Safety precautions

How to encourage your child

Developing and maintaining the self-esteem of a child with epilepsy can be one of the more difficult challenges a parent faces. It is important that you maintain a positive outlook on your child's condition. The following suggestions can help boost your child's self esteem.

• Highlight all the positive qualities of your child.
• Find activities and interests that build on what he or she likes to do.
• Talk about seizures openly with your child.
• Don't ever mention any financial strain or daily hassles of epilepsy in front of your child.
• Encourage your child to have as much social contact with other children as possible.

If your child has just been diagnosed with epilepsy you probably have many concerns and even more questions. You've come to the right place. At this website you will find a source of information on Seizures and Epilepsy, Treatments, Tips and Tools for managing epilepsy, Information on Depakote ER, and other Resources for more information and support. This section will focus on what you can do to help your child be as active as possible despite having epilepsy.

What you can do to help prevent seizures

There may be certain things that cause your child's seizures to occur. These are called triggers. By knowing these you can make sure your child is not exposed to them.

• Start a strict sleep schedule. One thing that can trigger seizures is not getting enough sleep. Make sure your child is going to bed and waking up at the same time every day including weekends. It is very important to stress these sleep requirements with a babysitter or other parents when your child is going to have a sleepover at a friend's house.
  
  
• Wait before starting new medications. Certain medication can increase the chance of having a seizure in some people with epilepsy. Even for unrelated medical conditions, it's wise to check with your child's doctor before starting a new medication. The doctor can give you a list of medications to stay away from.

Learn about your child's antiepileptic medication

Many children with epilepsy are treated with medication. The medication the doctor selected for your child was probably based on the type of seizures your child has. Make sure you know as much as possible about your child's medication. Here is a list of questions you can ask the doctor to learn more:

• What is the name of the medication?
• How much (dosage strength, number of tablets) should my child take every day?
• How should this medication be taken?
• How many times during the day should my child take the medication?
• Should the medication be taken with meals or without?
• What is the starting dose?
• What is the highest dose that should ever be taken?
• What are the side effects of this medication?
• What are the chances my child will experience side effects?
• What should we do if my child experiences side effects?
• What medications should my child avoid while taking this medication?
• Is there information you can give me about this medication?
• When should we talk about trying another medication?
• What should I tell my child's school?

Download a printable list of these questions (PDF) and take it with you to your child's next appointment. That way you will remember which questions to ask about your child's medication.

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