Seizure Disorders and Learning

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Between 1 and 2% of school-aged children have epilepsy. These children possess intellectual capacities comparable to their peers, but at least one third of them will not achieve the expectations associated with their aptitudes, because of learning difficulties. Even children who have epilepsy that is likely to disappear in adulthood can be affected by failure at school.

The relationship between learning and epilepsy is extremely complex. Seizures are triggered by abnormal electrical discharge in the brain, which may modify cerebral activity and affect the various stages of the cognitive process (i.e. reception, treatment and storage of information). A number of factors may have a negative impact on learning and behaviour in those with epilepsy; cause being the primary one. Other factors include the type of epilepsy, area of the brain involved, severity and frequency of seizures, treatments (e.g., anticonvulsants, surgery) and psychosocial issues. 

As a result, the effects of epilepsy on learning are variable. Therefore, each individual case must be treated as unique and it is important to avoid making assumptions about an individual's capacity. Many children live with epilepsy without experiencing problems at school, while others experience learning difficulties. In the latter group, there may be a wide range of cognitive disorders. Academic underachievement is often associated with a longer seizure history, multiple seizure types and unmanageable seizures.

The spheres of functioning most frequently affected in epilepsy are: attention, concentration, memory, and capacity for abstraction, language comprehension, auditory and visual perception and motor skills. These deficits may subsequently affect various academic areas. However, many learning problems can be reduced by proper assessment and appropriate early educational intervention.

The influence of society on adjustment may also be more important than previously thought. Perhaps simple awareness of the effect epilepsy can have on learning and functioning will help reduce the influence of these psychosocial factors in the future. 

It is important to remember that most people with epilepsy are academically, intellectually, and socially average (or above average). Approximately 70 per cent of those with epilepsy function effectively in society, have their seizures completely controlled and eventually come off treatment with few learning or behavioral problems.