Parents should be supportive and listen to their child's concerns. They should validate their child's feelings by acknowledging and discussing any fears the child may have. The EEG is the primary diagnostic tool for epilepsy. It is a non-invasive diagnostic test which records the electrical impulses from the brain.
Doctors are able to differentiate between normal and abnormal brainwave patterns.
However, not all abnormal wave patterns indicate brain disease or injury. The child's physician may advise the parents to wash the child's scalp the night before the test. The child's scalp must be clean and oil-free so that electrodes used during the test will work effectively. On the day of the test, the child should eat normally and take all medications as prescribed. Eating before the EEG will help stabilize the child's blood sugar level.