Epilepsy in the classroom: A guide to school accommodations for your child

As a parent, you want your kid to have the best school experience possible. For kids with epilepsy, that can come with extra challenges – such as unpredictable seizures, medication side effects, fatigue or difficulty concentrating.

But your child doesn’t have to face these challenges alone. Schools are legally required to provide accommodation for students with medical conditions like epilepsy. And those accommodations can make a real difference in your child’s day-to-day school experience.

Meagan Kristin Hainlen Patel, M.D., Pediatric Neurologist at Children's Health℠ and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern, shares how to work with schools to build a support plan tailored to your child.

Understanding school accommodations: 504 vs. IEP

There are two common ways to formalize support in school:

• 504 Plan: Covers medical accommodations.

• IEP (Individualized Education Plan): Covers academic or behavioral support.

A child whose seizures are well-controlled may only need a 504 plan. If seizures affect learning or behavior, an IEP might also be necessary.

What’s in a 504 plan for epilepsy?

Every child with epilepsy should have a 504 plan that includes a Seizure Action Plan (SAP).

A SAP outlines:

• The types of seizures your child has

• The medications they take

• When and how to give rescue medication

• What staff should do during and after a seizure

Other medical accommodations may include:

• A place to rest after a seizure (often the nurse’s office)

• Excused absences for medical reasons, so they don’t count against truancy limits

• P.E. or outdoor accommodations (for example, staying inside on hot days, taking frequent water breaks, or skipping strenuous activity if needed)

Can my child with epilepsy still participate in school sports?

Yes, many kids with epilepsy safely take part in P.E., recess and even competitive sports. But it’s important for you to work with your child’s doctor to carefully consider what activities are safe and whether any accommodations are needed.

For example, a child with well-controlled seizures may be able to play football, though sports with a higher risk of concussion require extra caution. Swimming can also be especially dangerous, since a seizure in the water can be life-threatening. Parents should maintain constant supervision whenever their child is in or near water.

What if epilepsy affects my child’s learning and behavior?

Some kids with epilepsy also have:

• Attention problems or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Anxiety and depression

• Specific learning disabilities

If these issues affect your child’s success in school, they may qualify for an IEP. Their IEP plan could include:

• Extra time to complete tests and written schoolwork

• Recordings of books or texts

• Help taking notes

• Doing tests or assignments in a different area than other students

• Using a computer for written assignments rather than writing by hand

How to get school accommodations for your child

To seek school accommodations, start by contacting both the school principal and special education coordinator – in writing.

This letter needs to:

1. Briefly describe your child’s medical condition(s) and needs. (A letter from your child’s doctor can help with this.)

2. Request any evaluations you think they may need to create a 504 or IEP.

Each school has their own process for evaluating a child's needs and will make the final decision about a child's accommodations.

Addressing stigma or safety at school

Some families hesitate to widely disclose their child’s condition. But Dr. Hainlen generally urges openness – especially with the school nurse, principal, counselor and teachers.

“Teachers are sometimes the first to notice absence seizures,” Dr. Hainlen says. “And most school nurses have experience with seizure medications.”

While classmates don’t necessarily need to know a child has epilepsy, educating school staff helps to build understanding and readiness to act in case of a seizure.

Extra support when you need it

The more support you and your child get, the easier living with epilepsy can be. Other ways to get support for a child with epilepsy include:

• Children’s Health school services. Our education specialists can help you work with your child’s school to advocate for your child’s health needs.They understand educational laws and can help you advocate effectively.

• Neuropsychological evaluations. These in-depth assessments explore how your child learns and thinks by looking at memory and processing speed and attention and IQ. This extra information can provide insight into how a kid is thinking and learning and support specific classroom strategies.

• Ongoing collaboration with your child’s doctor. Doctors can help families navigate tricky situations – like when a teen wants to return to sports but the parents are nervous. “Those can be delicate conversations, balancing safety and independence,” says Dr. Hainlen.

It’s encouraged for parents to build a team-based approach that includes their doctor, school staff and family.

“When you’re able to identify the staff at your child’s school that can be part of your child’s team and you keep communication channels open, it can give your child the best chance of feeling safe, supported and confident at school,” Dr. Hainlen says.

Additional school accommodations resources

• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Guidelines for supporting students with epilepsy or a seizure disorder at school

• Children’s Health: Parent’s guide for 504 plans

• Children’s Health: Parent’s guide for special education and IEP plans

• Epilepsy Foundation: Customizable seizure action plan

Epilepsy 101 (for parents and caregivers)

Explore resources to help you support your child with epilepsy and tune in to the Children's Health Checkup podcast for a three-part series focused on understanding and managing epilepsy in children (available in English and Spanish).

Learn more

Designated as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, Children's Medical Center Dallas provides the highest level of treatment for the most complex cases of pediatric epilepsy, with additional advanced epilepsy treatment options available at our Level 3 Epilepsy Center in Plano. Learn more about our program and services.