When it comes to talking to your child about epilepsy, children need to have answers. If your child has been diagnosed with epilepsy, let your child know the facts and allow them to ask questions. Be sure to assure them that no question is unimportant, stupid etc.
Honesty is most important. If your child is able to detect that you are holding back or leaving certain details out, they may not feel completely comfortable or reassured about their diagnosis.
When speaking with your child, words appropriate for their ages. Try to avoid using complex medical terms that are hard for children to understand. Speak with them in the same manner that you speak with them regarding most other issues.
Encourage your children to ask questions, and have resources available to help them understand your answers. Children are curious by nature, so they will ask questions, but they will do it in their own time and in their own way. If your child asks something that you cannot answer, say that you will find the information as soon as you can. Then follow through. You may need to talk to the childs doctor or nurse.
Whether your child needs to know other things depends on the situation. Does the child have epilepsy, or someone else? What kinds of seizures are occurring? How severe and how frequent are they? Make sure that your child understands that not all seizures are like the ones on television, in which the person falls down and thrashes around (though in some cases that does happen). If your child has epilepsy, chances are good, though not certain, that the seizures can be mostly or completely stopped by medication and the epilepsy will be just a small part of his or her life.
The most important message for any child is that people with epilepsy are just like everyone else. They deserve respect and understanding.
