How to Recognize Epilepsy in a Child

Epilepsy, characterized by recurrent seizures, can affect both children and adults. Recognizing epilepsy in children, however, can come with difficulties. Some of the symptoms of epilepsy are found in other conditions, which can make epilepsy hard to recognize and diagnose.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for obvious seizures. Children with epilepsy can have grand mal seizures, petit mal seizures or partial seizures. A child having a seizure may exhibit rapid, repetitive movements, have a dazed look or lose consciousness for a short while. Not all children who have a seizure have epilepsy. However, if your child has a seizure for the first time, you should contact your child's doctor in order to learn about the cause of his seizure.

• 2

  Take note of any of the other, less obvious signs of epilepsy. Some of these symptoms include the loss of memory, clumsiness, unusual sleepiness, blackouts, falling down, rapid blinking or nodding of the head, a dazed look and repetitive movements. Many children with epilepsy will exhibit some of these symptoms; however, these symptoms can have causes other than epilepsy. Talk to your child's doctor about any of these symptoms that your child exhibits.

• 3

  Watch your child for any behavioral problems. Some children with epilepsy may act out, especially in school. Epilepsy can make it difficult for your child to follow directions or pay attention. Talk to your child's teacher if you have any reason to worry about your child's behavior in school. If your child has behavioral issues and exhibits any of the physical symptoms of epilepsy, talk to your child's pediatrician.

• 4

  Be on the lookout for any learning difficulties your child may exhibit. Because children with epilepsy can exhibit memory loss and have blackouts, they may have trouble doing well in school. They may not remember directions easily, lose their focus or have difficulty studying. Learning difficulties can have many causes other than epilepsy. However, learning difficulties in conjunction with epilepsy's physical symptoms can cause concern.