Explaining epilepsy to your child or those around you

An epilepsy diagnosis can be a challenging time for the whole family. Parents often have little knowledge about the condition and may feel unsure about how to best support their child. It takes time to adjust, but maintaining a positive, open, and calm attitude can make a big difference in how your child copes.

Explaining to your child

• Involve your child in the process of understanding their epilepsy and treatment. This helps prevent confusion or misinformation.
• Be honest and use simple language. Complicated words or facts can feel overwhelming, especially for younger children.
• Use child-friendly resources such as books or videos to explain epilepsy in a reassuring way. You can find helpful materials on this page.
• Encourage your child to ask questions and share feelings. Open conversations build trust and help your child feel more in control.
• Need advice? The psychologist in the epilepsy team can guide you on how to talk to your child. Some children may benefit from psychoeducation, where they learn more about epilepsy in a calm and understandable way to help them cope better.

Explaining to those around you

• Make sure siblings understand what epilepsy is. This prevents unnecessary worries, such as fears about getting epilepsy themselves or feeling scared during a seizure.
• Inform the parents of your child’s friends so they don’t become anxious or avoid your child.
• Teachers, sports coaches, and youth leaders should know what epilepsy means, what types of seizures may occur, and who to contact in an emergency