Foundation Unveils Educational Program for Teens

Seizures and You: Take Charge of the Facts is an epilepsy awareness program targeting teenagers in middle and high school. The program is designed to take place in one 45-minute class period. Seizures and You: Take Charge of the Facts is part of a multi-year effort to educate teens, dispel myths and reduce the perceived stigma associated with epilepsy.

Epilepsy Education is Important

A national survey conducted by the Epilepsy Foundation showed there is a widespread lack of knowledge about epilepsy among teens. Some teens thought epilepsy was a mental illness; others thought it was contagious. Many said they would not date a person with epilepsy. Others believed that people with epilepsy couldn’t work or attend regular schools. This lack of understanding and misinformation often results in teens with epilepsy feeling socially isolated and pressured to keep their seizures a secret. In fact, these myths and misperceptions often endanger students with epilepsy.

Program Goals

Students who complete this program will:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of epilepsy as a medical condition;
• Identify and learn about different types of seizures; and
• Know what to do and what not to do when someone is having a seizure.

How Do You Bring This Program To Your School?

If you are interested in bringing this program to your school, please contact your local Epilepsy Foundation affiliate. To locate the Epilepsy Foundation affiliate nearest you, go to the affiliate lookup at /aboutus/AffiliateLookup.cfm. For more information about the program, contact Jody Kakacek at jkakacek@efa.org.

Coming Soon

This website will include resources for those using the Seizures and You: Take Charge of the Facts training curriculum soon. Additional information scheduled for inclusion on this website includes:

• Take Charge program add-on modules. Topics may include demystifying epilepsy mythology, how the brain works and seizure first aid;
• Links to interactive and informational websites on topics related to epilepsy and the brain;
• Opportunities to share ideas on expanding and enhancing this program.
• Ability to purchase videos, DVDs and other materials to enhance and expand on the lesson.