Educational problems are common in children with epilepsy.
They have high rates of academic underachievement and make less academic progress than would be expected for their age and intelligence level. Epidemiological studies indicate that children with uncomplicated epilepsy are about one year delayed in overall reading ability. Other studies show that about two thirds are referred for special educational services at some point. Some children experience academic achievement problems because they are having unrecognized seizures. For example, absence seizures often go undetected, causing disruptions in learning for the child.