There are a number of children in Barbados who suffer from this condition.

 

Although epilepsy has been around for a long time, there is still limited awareness of it on the island and children who suffer from the condition may be  mis-understood at school and this can cause several problems for the child.

 

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. 

 

It affects children at different ages and in different degrees, from mild and easy-to-control to a severe, lifelong problem.

 

 

Epilepsy symptoms

 

Seizures are caused by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain. They usually don't last very long, but they can be frightening for families.

 

Symptoms of epileptic seizures can vary, but the following may be signs that your child is experiencing seizures:

 

• Staring

• Loss of consciousness

• Abrupt movements of the arms and lets

• Stiffening of the body

• Breathing disruption

• Falling for no apparent reason

• Not responding to sounds for brief periods

• Head nodding

• Periods of rapid blinking and staring

 

Seizures may cause problems with:

 

• Muscle control

• Movement

• Speech and Language

• Vision

• Awareness

• Memory and learning