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Epilepsy Association of Western Australia (Inc.)
Annual
General Meeting Thursday October 30th 2008 @ 6.00pm
17th Annual Epilepsy
Seminar
Annual Audit 2008
www.epilepsy.org.au
Latest
Epilepsy News
Epilepsy Research
(Posh Spice)
Her
son Romeo has Epilepsy
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Babysitting
Babysitting a child with
epilepsy is usually no different to babysitting any other child. It is important
to always treat the child with epilepsy the same as any other child for whom you
might be caring.
It is possible, although unlikely, that the child with epilepsy will have a
seizure while in your care. A seizure means that there is an electrical
disturbance in the brain. This is usually very brief, lasting no more than a few
minutes.
Most children with epilepsy do not have seizures very often. This is because
they take antiepileptic medication that prevents seizures occurring and enables
them to lead normal active lives.
However, some children with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite being on
medication. Whether the child in your care has seizures frequently or rarely, it
is important to know what the seizures look like and what you should do to help
if one does occur.
There are many different types of seizures. It is therefore important to ask the
parents how to identify a seizure and how they want you to handle their child's
seizures. You will need to know a few simple steps that will keep the child safe
until the seizure comes to an end. There is nothing you can do to stop the
seizure – it will run its course. Be reassured that most seizures are not
emergencies and do not need emergency care.
Please note that children with epilepsy are at risk of drowning if a seizure
occurs in water. They require close supervision or you may prefer to avoid baths
or swimming altogether.
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