Epilepsy Ireland are here to support teachers and SNAs who may have a child with epilepsy in the classroom.
Information Session on Epilepsy Awareness for Teachers and SNAs
We estimate that that there are over 10,000 children living with epilepsy in Ireland. With so many children living with the condition and attending schools across Ireland, it is vitally important that the teachers and specials needs assistants supporting them have a key understanding and awareness of epilepsy.
This is why we offer these special information sessions for teachers and special needs assistants, in conjunction with Education Centres across Ireland. The event allows educational professionals learn more about epilepsy - such as recognising the different types of seizures and the correct response to a seizure - as well as learning more about some of the unseen implications of the condition that children may be experiencing; such as potential side effects from their Anti-Seizure medications.
Building this understanding and awareness of epilepsy amongst educational professionals can be hugely beneficial to a child as they progress through their educational journey and ultimately helps bring us closer to our vision of a society where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Upcoming information sessions can be found by visiting the 'Events' section of our website.
Epilepsy Awareness and the Administration of Buccal Midazolam – For Professionals
Since 2009, Epilepsy Ireland have provided training in Epilepsy Awareness and the Administration of Buccal Midazolam to individuals who support people with epilepsy through their profession or in a community setting. Every year, we train circa 3,000 professionals.
The course was developed in conjunction with the Epilepsy Specialist Nurses Association (ESNA) 2019 guidelines and attendees will be observed and tested on the information they have been provided with as part of our session. On successful completion of the training, attendees will be issued a certificate of completion which is valid for two years. We are the preferred training provider of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), who signpost organisations and nursing homes to avail of our training services.
Examples of people who attend this training are healthcare workers, education staff, bus escorts, employers/employees (working alongside a person with epilepsy), community workers in both private and voluntary sectors and facilitators of extra-curricular activities in the community.
In these professions, it can be common to be caring for or supporting a person with epilepsy and the aim of this training is to ensure that the professionals in attendance develop a greater understanding of epilepsy and know how to correctly administer Buccal Midazolam. Buccal Midazolam is a rescue medication which has become more widespread in recent years and one which can be very important for people with epilepsy. It is administered during a seizure under medical advice and if given promptly, helps to reduce seizure duration. This relatively simple procedure can prevent major disruption to daily life resulting from hospital emergency treatment that can result from a prolonged seizure.
More information on this service can be found by visiting the 'Training' section of our website, while upcoming training sessions can be found by visiting the 'Events' section of our website.
Education Information Pack: A Resource for pre-schools, schools and colleges
This resource aims to inform staff across education settings about the particular needs of students with epilepsy of all age ranges. It covers topics such as what epilepsy is, how it can be managed in education settings, how to support students with epilepsy, roles of education partners, families and students in developing care plans and policies, educational impact of epilepsy and supports available to schools and colleges to assist with training staff in epilepsy awareness and use of emergency medication.
Epilepsy Ireland hopes the pack will be successful in breaking down barriers and informing staff in all education sectors while reflecting the changes within preschools, schools and colleges around the country. Thank you also to Bon Secours for sponsoring this resource.
The pack can be read and downloaded from our website.
Managing Chronic Conditions at School
This resource is part of a comprehensive guide published by Epilepsy Ireland (then Brainwave) and three other charities - Diabetes Ireland, Asthma Society and Anaphylaxis Ireland in 2011 and will also provide useful and important information on epilepsy for teachers.
The resource can be downloaded and read on our website. You can also watch the short video below.