Non-Epileptic Seizures Live Q&A Webinar for Parents
Overview
This two part informational webinar on non-epileptic seizures (NES) is for parents with children who have epilepsy and other interested persons. Three experts in the field of NES presented a webinar, which was pre-recorded and can be viewed anytime. The presenters will be available for a live Q&A session to discuss NES and answer specific questions from the audience. NES can occur in children and adolescents with and without epilepsy, but NES is difficult to diagnose and requires specific expertise in the disorder. This is the second webinar in a series aimed at providing information to parents, children, teachers and other interested person about NES. This webinar will cover managing the new diagnosis of NES at home, at school and answer questions about medication.
What are non-epileptic seizures?
Some cases of difficult to control seizures in children and adolescents might be due to psychological causes or stressors, and are called non-epileptic seizures (NES). Stressors experienced by youth with NES involve a wide range of problems from difficulties with school work, extra-curricular activities, peers or family; unidentified or untreated psychiatric diagnoses (e.g. depression, anxiety), abuse (e.g. physical, sexual); and many other issues.
Once your child has been diagnosed with non-epileptic seizures it is important to consider the following:
- What can be done at home to cope with NES?
- What can be done at school to help the child return to normal functioning and peer activities?
- If prescribed medication, what is important for me to know and who should I talk to about it?
Directions:
1. Listen to the prerecorded webinar "Non-Epileptic Seizures Webinar for Parents." (no registration needed)
*Part 1 was prerecorded to allow parents and other interested persons to view the webinar at their desired pace.
2. Register for Part 2, the live Q&A portion by clicking here: http://neswebinar2013.eventbrite.com/ or
3. On April 26th, tune into the live Q&A session! Watch the webinar here, http://connect.epilepsyfoundation.org/nes13. Call into 1-888-950-0018 and use the participant code 25663 to listen to the webinar at the same time.
Presenters:
Miya Asato MD
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Division of Child Neurology
Miya Asato, MD, received her medical degree at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. She completed her pediatrics and child neurology residencies at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, and her research fellowship in neurocognitive development at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Her research and clinical interests focus on the effects of pediatric epilepsy on brain development and behavior as well as non epileptic seizures.
Bruce Molyneaux, MSW, LCSW
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Division of Child Neurology
Bruce Molyneaux, MSW, LCSW has been the Social Worker for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh's Division of Child Neurology since 1987. He received his graduate education in Social Work at West Virginia University (Social Work) and The University of Pittsburgh (Family Therapy). Bruce sees a large part of his role as assisting families with negotiating through the medical maze..
Julia Doss, PsyD.
Minnesota Epilepsy Group
Dr. Julia Doss, a pediatric psychologist, specializes in working children and their families managing chronic medical conditions and psychological illness. She is currently practicing with the Minnesota Epilepsy Group, working primarily with children and adolescents managing epilepsy and assisting physicians in diagnosis and treatment of non-epileptic seizures. In the last several years she has become more involved in research on non-epileptic seizures, is participating in a multi-site study assessing risk factors for non-epileptic seizures and is currently the chair of the pediatric division of the non-epileptic seizure task force. Dr Doss hopes to continue her work with non-epileptic seizures, providing training for other professionals to assist in early diagnosis and treatment.
Questions? E-mail questonsforwebinar@efa.org
The information presented during this webinar is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician about all clinical care and treatment decisions.
The Epilepsy Foundation gratefully acknowledges the Pediatric NES Subcommittee of the American Epilepsy Society's NES Task Force for their expertise and work in the area of non-epileptic seizures.
