Partners in Teaching

Children's experiences in school encourage the development of learning, independence and self-esteem.  Within these formative years, teachers and students are in a unique position to help children and youth with epilepsy develop a healthy and positive attitude towards themselves and their condition.

To ensure schools have factual and relevant information about seizures and epilepsy the BC Epilepsy Society provides the Partners in Teaching program.  This program facilitates communication and understanding by providing educational workshops, classroom resource kits, and information materials to school staff, students, and others who work with children and youth including: childcare providers, recreation leaders, and transportation staff. 

The Partners in Teaching program includes:

1.  Workshops for School Staff and Early Childhood Educators
These provide information about recognizing seizures and their impact on students, including safety and learning considerations.  Workshops are offered as 45, 60, or 90 minute sessions for individual schools, facilities and at district events.  To ensure your child's school is aware of this program, give them the Partners in Teaching Workshop Information Poster

2.  Workshops for Students
Fun, age-appropriate workshops for children and youth covering the facts about seizures, first aid, and peer support.  These are offered as 20 to 45 minute sessions and incorporate goals relevant to school curriculums on health, science, and diversity.

3.  Educational Materials
These documents explore classroom management, safety, childcare, and learning issues.  They include:

Understanding Students with Epilepsy: Tips for Teachers
An information sheet which details the impacts of seizures and gives suggestions on how to support the academic and psycho-social needs of children with epilepsy.

Learning Difficulties and Epilepsy
This information sheet explains the relationship between learning difficulties and epilepsy, as well as assessments and Individual Education Plan strategies.

Providing Childcare for Children with Epilepsy
An information sheet including facts about epilepsy, seizure descriptions, safety planning, and questions for childcare providers to ask parents.

Epilepsy Fact Sheet
An information sheet in a question and answer format explaining the facts about epilepsy and seizures.

Seizure First Aid Poster
A poster detailing first aid for convulsive and non-convulsive seizures.  Contact our office to receive this poster in an 11x17 colour format.

4.  Classroom Resource Kits
A collection of books, DVD’s, and comics that the BC Epilepsy Society has donated to school district resource libraries across the province.  These materials teach acceptance and understanding while helping to dispel myths about epilepsy and other health conditions.  Contact our office for kit locations in your school district.  A description of kit materials is available here: Partners in Teaching Classroom Resource Kit Materials

5. Audio-Visual Materials (DVD, CD-ROM, videocassette, etc.)
These materials are for a variety of ages and audiences to increase the understanding and awareness of seizures and epilepsy.  They are available for viewing online, or for loan or purchase from the BC Epilepsy Society. 

Seizure Disorders and the School
Designed to improve understanding of epilepsy for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel.  Shows actual seizures in children, describes first aid and management in the classroom, and stresses the importance of early recognition.  It also details how epilepsy may affect learning and discusses how the teacher can make the school experience a positive one.  Run time: 14 minutes

Understanding Seizures and Epilepsy  
Combines footage of real seizures and explores what happens when someone has a seizure.  Examples are given to show how others can recognize what is happening and know what to do - and what not to do.  In addition, people with epilepsy talk about how they would like friends, family and the public to treat them just like everyone else.  For ages 11 and up.  Run time: 11 minutes 

A Child Care Providers Guide
Provides information on identifying and recording seizures, safety considerations, communication with parents, and helping other children understand epilepsy.

Seizures and You: Take Charge of the Facts
This DVD is geared towards teens and features youth with epilepsy discussing stigma issues, facts about epilepsy, and first aid.  For ages 11-18.  Run time: 10 minutes

I Have Epilepsy Too  
Children with epilepsy discuss their experiences with seizures and coping with the physical and emotional aspects of epilepsy.  The primary message is that epilepsy is only one part of their lives.  For ages 7-11.  Run time: 10 minutes

Because You Are My Friend  
Narrated by a child, this animated video provides young children with a simple and clear understanding of epilepsy.  Describes seizures, first aid, differences, and the importance of friendship.  For ages 5-10.  Run time: 5 minutes 

The Partners in Teaching workshops and resources have proven to be effective in successfully educating those who work with children and youth.  Evaluations from the workshops show that 97% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they learned how to respond to seizures and offer first aid, and 90% felt more confident in addressing the social needs of children with epilepsy, such as encouraging independence and peer support.  Other comments from participants included, "well balanced between info regarding seizure identification and then the first aid and support issues that accompany the seizures."  Others found that the most useful thing that they learned from this workshop was, "the knowledge to better understand epilepsy and to deal with it more effectively", and that this information will help them, "to stay calm, informed, and in communication with parents and health workers."

The Partners in Teaching program is free and accommodates the needs of schools, students, parents, and healthcare professionals.  To learn more, contact Elvira Balakshin at 604-875-6704 or at outreach@bcepilepsy.com

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