The Epilepsy Foundation offers this advice to babysitters looking after children with seizure disorders: The average child with epilepsy is perfectly normal in all other respects and should be treated like other children.

• A child with a seizure disorder should always get medicine on time.
• It is nobody's fault if a child has a seizure. It is not the child's fault and it is not yours.
• Most seizures are not emergencies and do not require emergency care.
• Talk things over with parents beforehand and know exactly how they want you to handle a seizure should one occur.
• First aid for seizures is mostly keeping the child safe until the seizure ends naturally.
• If a child has a convulsion, turn the child on one side to prevent choking.
• Having a seizure is upsetting and embarrassing to the child. Children need comfort and kindness afterwards.

Call for emergency assistance if the seizure goes on for more than five minutes, if another seizure starts, or if the child doesn't wake up or breathe properly afterwards.

It is much more likely that the child you are babysitting won't have a seizure than that he or she will.

For a copy of the full pamphlet "Children and Seizures: Information for Babysitters" call the Epilepsy Foundation toll free at 1-800-EFA-1000 or visit their online Marketplace. The pamphlet (Catalog #106BAY) includes an information chart where parents can write personalized instructions.

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 12/15/06