If you have autism, you are more likely to have epilepsy than someone without autism. We know that worldwide approximately 8.4 million people have both conditions, and they face some of the starkest inequalities in the world.
A Young Epilepsy research study has found that many children with epilepsy are not getting the support they need at school. More than half of the children reported that some of their teachers and friends did not know that they had epilepsy. Parents have highlighted that school staff should be informed about the impact of epilepsy on learning and behaviour, in order to provide holistic support.
Olympic Athlete, Beth Dobbin, experienced a large seizure 13 years ago, which affected her movement, speech and memory and resulted with some time spent in hospital.
Children and young people with epilepsy need better access to mental health support services, with only 15% of Health Boards and Trusts currently able to integrate mental health provision within their epilepsy clinics, according to the latest Epilepsy12 report from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) .
Today we’re publishing the results of our young people’s survey, all about their experience of epilepsy care and how this has changed as they’ve grown older.
As nine-year-old Thomas Braun delivers a letter to the Prime Minister about his families’ challenges in accessing cannabis-based seizure treatments for his brother, Chief Executive of Young Epilepsy, Mark Devlin, comments:
A review of anti-seizure medication (ASM) use in pregnancy has been published, showing that some ASMs are safer to use than others.
We’re asking young people to tell us how their experience of epilepsy care has changed as they’ve gotten older. The survey will help us understand what information or support young people might like to receive, as well as how healthcare for young people with epilepsy can be improved.
Young Epilepsy is really pleased that Jake, one of our students from St Piers School, is featured on the front cover of the recent Epilepsy12 report (published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health). The report charts children's first year of epilepsy care across the country, as well as the epilepsy services provided in different areas. Young Epilepsy works closely with RCPCH, as part of the Epilepsy12 project board.
Young Epilepsy is the operating name of The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy Charitable Trust. | |
