Sending a teen away to college

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My daughter is 17 and will be going away to college in the fall. She plans to go 8-16 hours away as they are the only schools that offer her desired major. She had been seizure free for the last 2.5 years until recently. I am scared of her being so far away, but also do not want epilepsy to rule her life. Do any of you have any experience or wisdom concerning a teen with epilepsy going to college? How can you prepare them, you, and insure their safety?

Comments

Hi,Thank you for posting and

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2020-01-08 - 10:27

Hi,Thank you for posting and we understand your concerns. Being away from home for the first time and managing epilepsy can be challenging. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. For strategies,tips and resources for transitioning to college, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college We know this can feel overwhelming. However,there are many things you can do to help her manage her epilepsy and reduce these feelings. Managing epilepsy can help to lessen risks, improve safety, and increase the chance of a successful college experience, both in and out of the classroom.https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-college Epilepsy affects each person differently. As you all continue to plan for college, develop a personalized plan with her healthcare team, for managing her seizures and learning needs: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy There are many different devices that can help detect seizures and notify someone to help respond. Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your her doctor to see if a seizure alert device is an option her: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to her to understand what do if she has a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Consider using a journal or a diary for her to track her seizures, record medical history, set reminders, manage medications, side effects, behaviors, triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with her healthcare teamhttps://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Learn seizure first aid to share with her and those who are around her at school and identify potential risks and safety tips, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Learn more about things to consider for independent living ,resources that are available & when help is needed: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living Additionally, it’s important that she’s continuing to follow-up with her doctors on a regular basis and if she experiences any changes in seizure types/frequency side effects, symptoms, moods and behaviors.It can be helpful to connect with other parents who may have similar experiences, to ask questions, find & give support to each other, by visiting: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents Or contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi,Thank you for posting and we understand your concerns. Being away from home for the first time and managing epilepsy can be challenging. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. For strategies,tips and resources for transitioning to college, visit:  https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college We know this can feel overwhelming. However,there are many things you can do to help her manage her epilepsy and reduce these feelings. Managing epilepsy can help to lessen risks, improve safety, and increase the chance of a successful college experience, both in and out of the classroom.https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-college Epilepsy affects each person differently. As you all continue to plan for college, develop a personalized plan with her healthcare team, for managing her seizures and learning needs: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy There are many different devices that can help detect seizures and notify someone to help respond. Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your her doctor to see if a seizure alert device is an option her: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf    Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to her to understand what do if she has a seizure:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Consider using a journal or a diary for her to track her seizures, record medical history, set reminders, manage medications, side effects, behaviors, triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with her healthcare teamhttps://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Learn seizure first aid to share with her and those who are around her at school and identify potential risks and safety tips, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Learn more about things to consider for independent living ,resources that are available & when help is needed: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living                                         Additionally, it’s important that she’s continuing to follow-up with her doctors on a regular basis and if she experiences any changes in seizure types/frequency side effects, symptoms, moods and behaviors.It can be helpful to connect with other parents who may have similar experiences, to ask questions, find & give support to each other, by visiting:  https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents  Or contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi,Thank you for posting and we understand your concerns. Being away from home for the first time and managing epilepsy can be challenging. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and we are here to help support you. For strategies,tips and resources for transitioning to college, visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-college We know this can feel overwhelming. However,there are many things you can do to help her manage her epilepsy and reduce these feelings. Managing epilepsy can help to lessen risks, improve safety, and increase the chance of a successful college experience, both in and out of the classroom.https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/age-groups/youth/work-and-college/attending-college Epilepsy affects each person differently. As you all continue to plan for college, develop a personalized plan with her healthcare team, for managing her seizures and learning needs: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/managing-your-epilepsy There are many different devices that can help detect seizures and notify someone to help respond. Review our seizure alert device factsheet with your her doctor to see if a seizure alert device is an option her: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdf Create a seizure response or action plan, which is a helpful tool for those close to her to understand what do if she has a seizure: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/toolbox/seizure-forms Consider using a journal or a diary for her to track her seizures, record medical history, set reminders, manage medications, side effects, behaviors, triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with her healthcare teamhttps://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary Learn seizure first aid to share with her and those who are around her at school and identify potential risks and safety tips, here: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe Learn more about things to consider for independent living ,resources that are available & when help is needed: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/independent-living Additionally, it’s important that she’s continuing to follow-up with her doctors on a regular basis and if she experiences any changes in seizure types/frequency side effects, symptoms, moods and behaviors.It can be helpful to connect with other parents who may have similar experiences, to ask questions, find & give support to each other, by visiting: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers/parents-helping-parents Or contact our 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

My daughter has epilepsy and

Submitted by AprilNM on Mon, 2020-02-10 - 23:51

My daughter has epilepsy and goes to college 8 hours away. We had no idea she had epilepsy until she had a seizure in her apartment in December 2019. She is a sophomore. We are learning how to help her manage all this from afar. There is really good public transportation where she goes to school, plenty of amenities within walking distance, and grocery delivery. Those types of things have been really helpful in helping her remain independent. She also made an appointment with the disability services office at the school and talked to them about accommodations like priority registration and a flexible attendance schedule in case she needs to be absent because of a dr appointment or seizure. But I’m still completely nervous!