How to Handle Children With Seizures From Epilepsy

If you are around children with epilepsy, it is important to know what to do during a child's seizure. You can identify a seizure through one or more symptoms: jerking, falling to the ground, confusion, staring, stiffness and/or loss of consciousness. Remain calm and follow a few steps to keep the child safe.

Instructions

What To Do When a Child Has a Seizure

• 1

  Prevent the child from injuring himself by removing potentially dangerous objects from the area. If possible, move him onto his side and put something soft under his head. Do not try to force the child to stop jerking or moving.

• 2

  Inspect airways. Loosen any clothing around the neck. Visually check to make sure nothing is in the child's mouth. If the mouth is free of food and objects, do not put your fingers or hand in the child's mouth. (She will not swallow her tongue, as was believed at one time.)

• 3

  Watch the clock to know how long the seizure lasts. If the child appears to still be in an active seizure after five minutes have passed, call 911. Even if the seizure is short, remember how long it lasted so you can inform the child's doctor.

• 4

  Comfort and reassure the child once the seizure is over. Sometimes children have no memory of the seizure; however, they may be disoriented and frightened afterwards. Let the child know that he is safe.