This activity can send a child into seizures that can cause serious injuries and interfere with normal development. This is a daunting prospect for parents. It often helps parents of epileptic children when they can meet each other, to compare thoughts and experiences. One of the hardest things for them is that there has historically been such a stigma associated with having epilepsy. Many people with epilepsy have the potential to contribute as much to society as those who do not have epilepsy.
Recurrent seizures are a big problem.
Uncontrolled epilepsy affects intelligence, memory, concentration, motor skills, problem solving, school performance, and behavior. Even children whose epilepsy is under control may face problems, such as side effects from medications and damage from previous seizures. One reason that pediatric epilepsy is so serious is that it comes when the child's brain is trying to lay down the neural connections that the child will need to thrive in life. There are a number of possible treatments. Many children are helped with medication, though many of these medications have side effects.