1. Developmental Disabilities: Epilepsy
KNR 270

2. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Defined
Severe, chronic disability
Attributable to mental or physical impairment
Manifested before age 22
0-18/22, during developmental stages
Likely to continue indefinitely
Results in substantial limitations in life activities
May need life long services
Range from mild to severe

3. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABIITIES
Intellectual disability
(Mental retardation)
Cerebral palsy
Epilepsy
Autism

4. SEIZURE Seizure defined
Sudden alteration in behavior or motor function, consciousness
Involuntary motor activities
Caused by abnormal electrical discharge from brain
Any one can have a seizure under the right circumstance, if threshold is passed
Not everyone who has a seizure has epilepsy

5. EPILEPSY Defined Provoked Tendency to experience recurrent seizures
2 or more seizures
Not provoked
Provoked
Seizure has a defined cause
Once cause disappears, no more seizures
Tendency to experience recurrent seizures
Electrical system in brain malfunctions

6. EPILEPSY 70-80% have seizures controlled Episodic disability
Medications like Phenobarbital, Dilantin, Tegretol
Episodic disability
Psychological and social problems connected
Often secondary disability (MR, CP, TBI)

7. Epilepsy No single cause 50% unknown Scar tissue Head injury Genetic
Lack of oxygen at birth
Infectious disease

8. TYPES OF SEIZURES Generalized Effects all of brain
Tonic - clonic / Grand Mal / Convulsive
Auras
Tonic: stiffening of body, hold breath
Clonic: rhythmic contractions
Post-ictal: confused, sore muscles, fatigued
Most common seizure
Lasts several to 5 minutes

9. TYPES OF SEIZURES Generalized continued
Absence / Petit Mal / Nonconvulsive
Simple starring
Twitching of hand, arm, eyelids
Automatisms: picking at clothes
5-30 seconds
Showers of seizures
times/day

10. TYPES OF SEIZURES Partial / focal/ local Febrile seizure
Effects only part of brain
Febrile seizure
Fever with childhood illness
Convulsions are generalized
Relatively common
Not connected with epilepsy

11. STATUS EPILEPTICUS 1 seizure after another Prolonged seizure
5 minutes
Or 2-3 minutes longer than normal
Medical emergency

12. Considerations/ Accommodations

13. What would you do if someone had a seizure in your program?

14. Considerations/Accommodations
Strobe lights can trigger in some people
Once seizures are controlled, person should be able to participate in sports & physical activity
Watch (supervise/buddy system)
Swimming & water activities
Climbing & falls
Direct contact (e.g., soccer)