Significant reduction of seizures in an 11-year-old girl was achieved through a contingency management program implemented by her classroom teacher. The program was designed to shift the focus from her actual seizures to her seizure-free time periods. Seizures diminished over the total treatment period. (Author)

A teacher can be valuable in aiding the recognition of seizure patterns in children and in providing further insight into possible side effects of anticonvulsant therapy, which might occur to the child in the classroom. (JD)

Suggested a positive approach for teachers in confronting the problems of students afflicted with epilepsy. (RK)

Among the findings were that female survivors, if not totally handicapped, were nearly all married; whereas surviving males who were not totally handicapped more often remained single. Journal availability: J. B. Lippincott Co., E. Washington Sq., Philadelphia, PA 19105. (Author/DLS)

It was found, among other things, that neither the presence of congenital heart disease, nor diabetes, nor intercurrent illness appeared to have any effect on the development of seizures. The age groups with the lowest proportion of EEG abnormalities were 25-34 years (48.7 percent abnormal) and 35-44 years (54.1 percent abnormal). (Author/DLS)

An overview of epilepsy and its possible ramifications is provided. The etiology of epilepsy, its diagnosis, and the different types of seizures (tonic-clonic, tonic, and absence) are explained. Information is also provided on first aid and treatment such as medications and surgery. Educational issues, including social, academic, and parent/school…

This study assessed the prevalence of epileptic seizures in 378 children attending special education centers for students with intellectual disability in Amman, Jordan. Findings indicated that 20% had a history of epilepsy. Epilepsy was more prevalent among children with severe disability than mild intellectual disability, males than females, and…

Studied relationships of age at onset, seizure syndrome, seizure type, and seizure frequency to classroom performance and adaptive skills of 131 children with epilepsy. Epilepsy syndrome and frequency of seizures significantly related to some analyses. Results suggest that seizure disorder associated with diffuse or multifocal brain insult can…

This study examined the amount of psychosocial disturbance experienced by adults (n=53) in India with epilepsy, as well as the relationship between psychosocial dysfunction, duration of illness, and computerized axial tomography findings. Results indicated that three-quarters exhibited no or very mild psychosocial dysfunction. (DB)

The prevalence of epilepsy was correlated with the severity and type of encephalopathy of 1,023 individuals with mental retardation. A total of 326 individuals were diagnosed with epilepsy. Results indicated a low percentage of epilepsy in chromosomic-genetic and young adult encephalopathies and a high prevalence when the neurodeficit was…

Parents and teachers who are informed about epilepsy can avoid unpleasant classroom situations. A brief explanation of epilepsy is followed by information on what to do in case a seizure occurs at school. The best policy is for parents to forewarn the school and create an appropriate plan. (SM)

A study of the sleep patterns of 28 people with severe or profound mental retardation and epilepsy found atypical sleep stages with significant depletion of REM sleep and a predominance of indiscriminate non-REM sleep. Sleep diaries completed by caregivers reveal lengthy sleep periods, especially among those with profound mental retardation.…

This commentary reviews studies of children with Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) and autistic regression (AR) and concludes that they are two distinct entities with different epileptic profiles and that the treatment modalities used in LKS cannot be expected to yield a therapeutic effect in AR. Multiple Subpial Transection is discussed. (Contains…