1. CHILDHOOD EPILEPSY: ZEENA’S
STORY
By: Alvina Chih

2. ZENNA’S STORY
You have observed a typical development in many areas
of development in Zeena. Yesterday, her mom was
told that Zenna has Epilepsy. She asked you “ What
do I do now?” and begins to weep. She also tells you
that her doctor has recommended she stays on
complete bed rest for a difficult pregnancy. She is at
risk of delivering the unborn baby prematurely.
Citation: Class notes-Class notes:McCaia, Lisa. “Meeting the Needs of Children with Special Needs Assignment." Inclusion of Children With Special
Needs. Centennial College. B1-16, Scarborough. 14 Jan 2011. Class lecture.
Music: Undiscovered-James Morrison

3. WHAT IS EPILEPSY
 Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person
has a tendency to have recurrent seizures,
due to sudden spurt of electrical activity in
the brain/ when the brain in overloaded
with electrical activity. Epilespsy also
causes a temporary disturbance in the
messaging systems between brain cells
 A child with epilepsy can have two types of
siezures:
 Petit- mal seizures-brief, small lost of
consciousness
 Grand mal seizures-lose consciousness,
violently jerking muscles, may stop
breathing, lose bladder control, bubble
saliva
Citation:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/8947.php
Class notes:McCaia, Lisa. "Children With Impaired Health and Concern." Inclusion of Children
With Special Needs. Centennial College. B1-16, Scarborough. 4 Feb. 2011. Class lecture.

4. MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD
 I would re-arrange the learning space for Zeena to be away from any book shelves
or other furniture that may cause any injuries
 I would change the environment to meet Zeena’s academic needs, although it is
not mentioned in the case study children with complex partial seizures in the left
side ( where language is handled) often have problems working in a noisy
environment. Therefore I would move the child into a quite place, so they can they
can calm down and be more attentive.
 If Zeena is to have seizures from the right hemisphere, where they tend to be
distracted in an environment with many objects to look at in the room. I would
provide her with a study booth like setting facing the wall with limited things to
look at to keep her attentive.
Citation: http://www.epilepsy.com/articles/ar_1064603376

5. MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD
CONT...
 As an educator I would create an open minded learning environment for
Zeena’s special need, as well as speaking to the other children about the
condition and how it is not contagious; by doing so I can help raise
awareness of Zeena’s special need and reduce the fear of what may
happened if she were to go into seizure.
 As an ECE I would provide the childcare centre with variety of books on
children with epilepsy as well as many other children book with
characters that have different special needs to help them understand that
everyone is different and should not be excluded
 Assign peer tutors or peer helpers, to help Zeena in the playground/ field
trips, as well as to help boost her social interaction with others.
 As an educator I would like to introduce parents and the children to The
Kids on the Block to help the children learn about different special needs
and medical conditions so they know how to react to others in a postive
and friendly manners.
Citation: http://epilepsy.about.com/od/managingyourepilepsy/a/goingtoschool.htm, http://special-
needs.families.com/blog/ten-ways-to-help-your-child-with-epilepsy-succeed-in-school

6. TEACHING STYLES....
 I would teach Zeena in teaching using an auditory style
 Teaching her using visual material, for examples using PECS,
as well having miniature flips cards that she can carry around
with her to help her with different transition periods
 I would also try using a thematic approach, to help Zeena
retain new concepts. For example the theme can be numbers, I
can come in with activities such counting counters to help
Zeena retain that mathematic concpet.
 I would also communicate with her mother to find a common
approach so she, herself can help Zeena develop her academic
learning styles as well as keep a journal/communication log for
her mother to read about Zeena progress at the childcare.
Citation: http://epilepsy.about.com/od/managingyourepilepsy/a/goingtoschool.htm, http://special-needs.families.com/blog/ten-
ways-to-help-your-child-with-epilepsy-succeed-in-school , http://www.ehow.com/how_6525393_teach-children-epilepsy.html, Pendleton,
Kahlea. "How to Teach Children With Epilepsy | eHow.com." eHow | How to Videos, Articles & More - Trusted Advice for the
Curious Life | eHow.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/how_6525393_teach-children-epilepsy.html>.

7. MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD
&FAMILY
 To provide the child with a resource teacher/consultant in the
classroom, to help myself, parents, as well as other staffs of the
strengths, needs and goals for Zeena. As well as to provide and
coordinate resources to support Zenna and her family and the child
care staff
 Provide Zeena’s mother with the help of a social worker to help
provide her with community based supports and services that may
help her in meeting Zenna’s needs as she is pregnant and may not be
able to do as much
 I would also provide Zenna’s mother with the help of a relief workers,
as she is pregnant with a child and has been asked to be on bed rest.
By providing her with a relief worker she can get all the rest that she
needs, while the relief workers works with Zeena at home.
 I would also recommend the family to attend an event held by
Toronto Epilepsy an organization to provides many different services
and prgrams to families dealing with a child with epilepsy.
Citation: McCaei, Lisa. “Twenty Questions: The Professional Team." Inclusion of Children With Special Needs. Centennial
College. B1-16, Scarborough.18th March. 2011. Class lecture.

8. ORGANIZATIONS/AGENCIES
 Epilepsy Toronto- a non-profit organization that has
supported people living with epilepsy for 50 years. They
believe that “taking part of an active epilepsy community,
receiving vital support and connecting with others who are
going through similar experiences helps manage the
challenges of living with epilepsy”
 Epilepsy Toronto provides families with free programs and
services such as counselling, employment support,
advocacy, and education to help people with epilepsy to live
well.
Citation:http://www.epilepsytoronto.org/aboutus.php

9. ORGANIZATIONS/AGENCIES..CONT
 Kids on the Block-consist of a group of skilled volunteer
puppeteers that travels around the GTA with performing
puppets shows for children about coping with different
disabilities.
 Each performance highlights a particular disability or medical
condition, followed by a questions and answer period.
 KOB also provides teachers/ educators with information prior
to the show to help generate classroom discussions as well as
other classroom materials to enhance and reinforce what was
taught to the by KOB.
 KOB performances are done by request, to request a
performance educators are to fill out a performance request
form available on the website or contact them through phone
at
416 964.9095
Citation:http://www.kidsontheblocktoronto.com/whatiskob.htm