Does epilepsy count as special needs? And if so...

[StrawberryMartini]

Can someone who is epileptic soil themselves when they have absences?

Am minding a 4 year old boy who has been diagnosed with epilepsy even though he has yet to have a fit.

He's always had 'issues' with going to the toilet but I'm wondering if there is any link?

Also in theory I know what to do should he ever have a fit (am First Aid trained) but would appreciate any advice re triggers or stories of first fits etc.

Many thanks

P.S. If I'm posting on the wrong board please redirect me!

If it affects your ability to get things done, then yes, it's a disability. Though a lot of folk who have Epilepsy and nothing much else the matter get a bit cheesed off that it is an "official" disability. They would say that if it doesn't stop you doing stuff, then you're not disabled. But I digress.

Yes, loss of continence is common during seizures. I'm not aware of it happening during absences, but as DD1 is in nappies anyway, I could be wrong. There are all sorts of seizures you can have that are not obviously motor ones though, so it could be more-than-an-absence without you viewing it as a "fit" - if that makes sense.

Re: stories of starting seizures - if I can redirect you to another forum - NSE (national society for epilepsy) has a very good forum dedicated to Epilepsy and nothing else. It all depends on what [i]type[/i] of Epilepsy you have - some are much more severe than others and so our story probably wouldn't be terribly relevant to this little boy, who sounds as if he has a fairly benign case.

Thanks! I'll have a look at that site.

both dd and dh have epilepsy.
they both have triggers. dd's are mainly excitement. and yes they can soil themseves(although I have been lucky) they can also be sick.
Maybe the issues with the toilet have become a trigger for him,
dd used to have fits during eating at school. if someone was feeding her who wasn't used to it and she started coughing/choking it would lead to a fit.

is he scared of going to the toilet?

Just to second what r3dh3d has said, continece can be a problem with epilepsy, particually with tonic clonic seizures, but I have not heard of any with absenses though.

Yes 2 shoes he's scared of it. When we go to the toilet in a public place I have to go in the cubicle with him and hold his hand.

When and how did your two first have a fit?

Ds1 is diagnosed with "non-epileptic convulsions" which seems to mean they have no idea why he fits. He fits in the night (and usually soils) and he also fits when he cant cope with the environment, like in the supermarket. Its his reaction to being over stimulated. He will wet if that happens. Hes actually much better in the day now and hasnt had a day fit since we went to legoland!