School Support Services

Epilepsy Ottawa provides a number of services to support parents and educators integrate children with epilepsy into their classrooms and school. Together we can reduce barriers to education and help children with epilepsy reach their full potential.

Accommodation

Epilepsy Ottawa works with parents and schools to ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place.

Safety Plans

Epilepsy Ottawa can help schools develop a seizure safety plan for each child with epilepsy. This plan will help the school better understand your child’s seizures, identify when a seizure is a medical emergency, and assist your child when they’re having a seizure.

Resources

Epilepsy Ottawa offers seizure first aid posters, resource booklets for teachers and caregivers, and activity books for children. We also offer the informational Spark series, including
• Epilepsy and Learning Challenges
• Epilepsy and ADHD
• Helping Children with Organization and Planning
• Epilepsy and Memory (Children)

Seizure Smart

Seizure Smart is a free program for schools, day cares, and other groups that want to learn more about epilepsy and how to help someone having a seizure. Seizure Smart presentations help demystify epilepsy and separate fact from myth. Attendees will learn how to identify different types of seizures and respond appropriately when they see someone have a seizure.

They will also gain a better understanding of the impact of epilepsy on everyday life. These presentations are tailored to teachers, childcare

workers, or students. Epilepsy Ottawa has Seizure Smart presentations available for just about any age group, starting as early as Kindergarten.

Presentations are available at locations in Ottawa and surrounding rural areas (Lanark County, Renfrew County, Prescott-Russell County, and Stormont Dundas & Glengarry Counties).

Seizure Smart Presentations

Epilepsy 101 for Teachers and Childcare Workers

Length: 60 minutes
Helps teachers learn how to support students with epilepsy, identify different types of seizures, provide seizure first aid for convulsive and non-convulsive seizures, and create a safer classroom for children with epilepsy. Can reduce anxiety teachers may have about teaching a child with
epilepsy in their classroom. Epilepsy Ottawa can provide our Seizure Smart:
Epilepsy 101 presentation at staff meetings or on PD Days. Everyone who attends receives a Seizure Smart Training certificate of completion.

Introducing Epilepsy

For Kindergarten – Grade 2
Length: 20-30 Minutes
Reviews introductory facts about epilepsy, what
the most common types of seizures look like,
how children can help someone having a seizure,
and how to create a welcoming environment for
someone with epilepsy. Features a storybook.

Thinking About Epilepsy

Grades 3-6
Length: 45-60 Minutes
Teaches children about the human brain, epilepsy, and how to help someone having a seizure. Promotes inclusion and empathy, reducing teasing. Tied to the Grade 5 Science and Health Curriculum.

Epilepsy 101 for Students

Grades 7 and up
Length: 45 to 60 Minutes
Provides students with an understanding of epilepsy, different seizure types, and how to help someone who is having a seizure. Promotes
inclusion and empathy, reducing teasing.

For more information or to book a presentation, visit our Seizure Smart page.

Epilepsy Awareness

One way to help a child with epilepsy feel that the school or classroom is an accepting environment is to celebrate Epilepsy Awareness Month in March and Purple Day for Epilepsy on March 26th. Ask Epilepsy Ottawa for some activity suggestions or participate in one of our awareness campaigns.