Epilepsy and learning

Epilepsy is a common condition of the brain in which people have recurrent unprovoked seizures. Most people living with epilepsy progress well as learners through primary and secondary school, further education and training.

However, the specific nature of your epilepsy and its treatment may affect your learning journey. Challenges with learning can have an impact on your aspirations and goals in life. Fortunately, a range of services is available to help people of all ages who live with epilepsy.

Learning matters at every age#

Learning is important for people of all ages, not just children, and the effects of epilepsy on learning can be felt at any age. The extent of the impact is very individual: some learners are greatly affected, while others are not. It can be related to the type of epilepsy you have, its cause, the brain regions it affects and the treatment you are having. Being absent from school or training because of seizures can also affect learning.

How epilepsy can affect cognitive skills#

Cognitive skills let people process information, reason, remember and relate. They involve mental activities such as thinking, understanding, learning and remembering, and the ability to make sense of new information is essential to successful learning. Cognitive difficulties can contribute to learning problems in people with epilepsy and may affect academic outcomes and behavior.

Visual processing refers to how the brain interprets visual information. This is different from problems with sight or sharpness of vision. For example, someone with a visual processing difficulty might struggle to remember visual information, or to recognize numbers, letters or symbols. Because visual and spatial function is mainly controlled by the right side of the brain, learners who have focal seizures in that hemisphere may show visual processing difficulties. This may be reversed for some people who are left-handed.

Auditory processing refers to a person’s ability to analyze and make sense of information taken in through the ears. A difficulty with auditory processing can interfere directly with speech and language and can affect all areas of learning. For example, it may reduce attention and concentration, so the person can seem as though they are not listening or cannot follow spoken instructions. The left temporal and parietal regions of the brain are important for reading and language development, so people who have seizures in the left side of the brain may experience language difficulties. This is not the case for everyone and may be reversed for those who are left-handed. As with auditory processing, language difficulties can look like poor concentration, attention or memory, as well as trouble with reading, writing or spelling.

Memory is a complex process in the brain that lets you store, retain and recall information and experiences. Not everyone living with epilepsy has memory difficulties, but memory is one of the most common challenges that people report. The types of memory difficulty a person has may depend on the type of epilepsy and its underlying cause.

Medication side effects and learning#

Medication side effects can affect learning and thinking. Side effects are common, particularly in the early stages of starting a medication. Ask your doctor what side effects to watch for and what to do if you experience any.

Epilepsy, further education and training#

Moving into further education such as vocational training or university is a significant step for anyone, whether you are a young person leaving secondary school or someone wanting to build on existing skills, learn new ones or change career. It usually means a new environment, new learning styles, new forms of assessment and being surrounded by many different people. This transition can be especially daunting for some people who live with epilepsy.

Various support services can help you plan and navigate your learning journey, and these can be tailored to your situation and needs. If you live with epilepsy and a cognitive disability, you may benefit from extra help with planning, education arrangements, accessibility, assistive technology or other supports. For some people, flexible deadlines can help manage the impact of epilepsy on learning.

For others, a broader range of supports might be necessary#

Talk to your doctor about what your support needs might be, and contact your place of learning to find out what is available. Many colleges and universities have dedicated disability support staff who assist students with a disability. They can help with services such as:

• Referral to other supports, such as counseling, health, housing or finance.
• Academic support workers, such as note takers or readers.
• Access to adaptive technology, such as voice-activated software.
• Alternative assessment arrangements, such as additional time or a scribe.
• Alternative course materials.
• Enrollment and campus orientation.
• Liaison with lecturers and teachers.
• Physical access to facilities.

Many regions have anti-discrimination and education laws that protect the right of students with a disability to access and take part in education and training on the same basis as other students. Disability support staff can help clarify the obligations of education and training providers under the laws that apply where you live.

Epilepsy support at school#

A range of resources is available to support young learners with epilepsy. Epilepsy support organizations often offer information and classroom supports for families, teachers and children living with epilepsy. Ask your local epilepsy organization what school programs and resources they provide.

Key points#

• Epilepsy is a common condition of the brain in which people experience recurrent unprovoked seizures.
• The specific nature of your epilepsy and treatment may affect your learning journey.
• Learning is important for people of all ages, not just children.
• The types of memory difficulty a person has may depend on the type of epilepsy and the underlying cause.
• Experiencing side effects is common, particularly in the early stages of starting a medication.

Where to get help#