Accommodations and services are always student-specific depending on how a student's epilepsy affects their education, such as impacting their speech or motor functioning. A student with epilepsy can receive speech, OT, or PT if their educational needs warrant those services.
A very common accommodation is clear seating — the area surrounding the child is clear such that if they have a seizure and fall out of their seat, they will not injure themselves.
If there are known triggers (e.g., flashing lights, heat), they should all be well documented within an [Individualized Health Plan](/resources/ 1380) within the IEP or 504 plan, and staff should be made aware. For example, if heat can trigger a seizure, an accommodation might be that the student stays inside for PE or recess when the temperature rises above a certain number.
The health care plan, written by the school nurse, should include training of all staff, including campus supervisors, librarians, staff that are working within the classroom, aides and substitute aides, and therapists or specialists if the child has several or related services, such as the speech pathologist, etc.
Parents may ask for 1:1 support to ensure a trained adult is always with the student in the event they have a seizure, especially when the child is younger.
For more information, see our full article Supporting a Child with Epilepsy at Home, at School, and in the Community.
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