How do I help my child manage seizures?

One of the best ways to manage seizures is to try to avoid triggers. Triggers will depend on the type of seizures; however, in general, lack of sleep, stress, and anxiety can all trigger seizures. It is especially important that children with epilepsy learn techniques for stress management. Other seizures can be triggered by things like flashing lights or certain sounds.

A child may get a warning prior to a seizure. They might get a little nauseated or get a bad feeling, get a bad taste in their mouth, or even notice a bad smell. If this happens, encourage your child to get to a safe place and tell an adult (preferably an adult who is aware and educated about their condition).

You may want to get your child medical alert bracelet. These bracelets can give valuable information when your child can’t speak and you are not present. You may also consider seizure alert dogs who are trained to respond to a seizure in someone who has epilepsy.

Seizures can often be controlled with medication, but there are many different kinds. The first one your child tries may not be effective, and/or it may have side effects, so your child might have to try more than one.

Dietary therapy is another approach to help control seizures. If medications are not effective, some doctors prescribe the ketogenic diet, which is a special high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that helps to control seizures in some people with epilepsy. This is a treatment plan supervised by medical staff.

About 30% of people with epilepsy have what is known as drug-resistant epilepsy, which means no medication or diet will stop their seizures. If your child isn’t responding to at least two medications, you can say start a conversation with their neurologist about surgery. Pre-surgical testing might also uncover other aspects of your child’s epilepsy that you didn't know about, such as an underlying condition or other treatment options that aren't even surgical.

For more information, see our full article Epilepsy 101.