Special Education teachers receive much more in-depth training on dealing with children with medical disabilities and other types of disabilities. The problem, however, is that Special education teachers are spread thin in most schools with heavy caseloads. My philosophy is general education teachers ARE special education teachers, whether we like it or not.
Many general education teachers assume that their special education teachers will help them teach their special education students, but this isn't always the case. As a general education teacher, my special education students are MY students, and it's my responsibility to research and learn how to teach those students.
What can you do as a parent?
First, educate your child's teacher. Let them know that your student has epilepsy. Tell them what that will look like in their classroom and what they should look for in your student's performance. Always maintain regular contact with their teacher.
What should teachers do for students with Epilepsy?
As a teacher, know that you are not only on the lookout for seizures but also the side effects of epilepsy and epilepsy medication. Students with Epilepsy can suffer from:
- Attention issues
- Cognitive deficits
- Memory problems
- Behavior issues
- Problems with impulse control
- Anxiety and depression
Epilepsy is not just about seizures, although that part does suck.
As a teacher or a parent, a few simple strategies can help you to teach your children or students with epilepsy.
- Frequent repetition of materials
- Redirection and reminders
- Cues
- Memorization strategies, such as mnemonic devices
- Extra time for tests and assignments
- Non-timed assessments
- Scaffolding or breaking tasks into smaller chunks
- Visual and auditory examples
- Written and oral directions
- SEL or social emotional learning. SEL strategies can help all students but especially our medically and emotionally sensitive students.
Differentiating your instruction to meet the needs of all of your students ensures not only a better classroom culture for everyone but especially for our medically sensitive students.
What About Medical Training for Teachers?
I went through my teacher training in 2011 and 2012. I went through an additional 18 credit hours of master's level teacher training during 2018 and 2019. I have taken two courses on teaching students with special needs. Not once in my teacher training was I asked to get my CPR certification or any other medical response training.
That doesn't mean teachers aren't CPR trained, but CPR certification isn't part of teacher licensure in many states. Most districts have a certain number of building staff who are CPR certified and trained to respond in medical emergencies. Medical emergencies are also a topic for many teacher trainings during those beloved in-service days.
I know I would feel better knowing that the staff in my daughter's building were better prepared to respond in the event of a seizure. While most seizures don't require CPR, it can happen. My daughter had one seizure during an illness where she had vomited just before seizing, and her airway needed clearing after her seizure had stopped. Luckily my husband is CPR training annually and responded correctly in that emergency.
What can you do?
As a parent, stay involved, stay up-to-date on teaching strategies, and advocate for your child. Teach your child's teacher seizure protocol, and print out handouts for any staff members that are regularly with your child.
As a teacher, ask questions, get to know your students and their family, and involve your student and their families in the educational process.
-Abby, Guest Blogger
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