Is Epilepsy A Disability For A Child

Can You Get Ssi Disability For Children With Seizures

Seizures in Children and Youth with Development Disabilities

For adults, the trials of qualifying for Social Security Disability Income and/or Supplemental Security Income to help cope with disability are difficult enough. For children, however, there are even more obstacles to gaining approval for SSI benefits. For a dependent child to qualify for Supplemental Security Income benefits, there are several factors that affect their eligibility. Not only must the child’s family meet certain conditions, there are specific qualifications the child must go through in order to be considered disabled. A child with a severe neurological disorder, such as frequent seizures, may be able to receive Supplemental Security Incom benefits.

Medicines To Prevent Fits

There are no medicines that ‘cure’ epilepsy. However, there are medicines that can prevent the fits of most children-as long as they keep taking the medicine regularly. As long as a child has epilepsy-which may be for years or all his life-he must continue to take anti-fit medicines.

Sometimes preventing fits for a long time seems to help stop epilepsy permanently. For this reason, if the child has had many fits in the past, it is usually wise for him to keep taking anti-fit medicines regularly for at least one year after the last fit. Only then should you gradually lower and stop the medication to see if he still needs it.

CAUTION:

Great care is needed to select the medicines that help the individual child most, and which do her the least harm. Try to avoid giving so much medicine that she always seems sleepy, dizzy, slow-moving, or loses interest in things. A few fits may be better than too much medicine-which can poison the child.

Does A Child With Epilepsy Meet The Definition Of Disabled

The SSA has identified some medical conditions that are severe enough to usually warrant an approval of benefits these conditions are spelled out in “impairment listings.” Epilepsy is one of the listed impairments that may entitle your child to an automatic approval of benefits. The listing, 111.02, was changed significantly in 2016.

To meet the listing today, you will need to show that your child suffers from:

generalized tonic-clonic seizures that occur at least once a month for three consecutive months, or
dyscognitive seizures that occur at least once a week for three consecutive months.

It may be helpful to talk to your child’s neurologist to see if her epilepsy meets the listing requirements. You can visit the SSA’s website for more information about the childhood epilepsy listing.

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Camps: Expand Camps: Section

For many children, camp is an exciting part of summer that provides opportunities to make new friends, develop new skills, and simply have fun. While children with epilepsy may face some unique challenges, they dont have to miss out on having a great camp experience.

Epilepsy Ontario’s Summerfest

Epilepsy Ontario runs its own camp for children between 6 and 15 who have epilepsy. At Camp Couchiching in Longford Mills, 90 minutes outside of Toronto, campers can experience many fun and exciting outdoor activities such as rock climbing and canoeing. There are also nurses on site at all times to ensure that your child is safe and cared for while they have fun.

For more information, including how to sign up, please see our Summerfest page.

To find more information about other camps, you can visit the Ontario Camps Association and you may also want to consult their list of special needs camps.

Resources for Children with Disabilities

Disability Tax Credit Eligibility For Epileptic Canadians

Disabilities caused in babies by epilepsy drug a

Chances are that you have seen somethinga movie, video game, or amusement park ridethat has an epilepsy warning attached to it. Epilepsy is a disorder within the brain that causes the electric system to cause seizures. These seizures are marked by a change in the ability of the person to move and respond to stimuli appropriately they may also lose consciousness. These episodes can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. These episodes can affect lifestyle significantly, and depending on the severity and may make them or the family members taking care of them eligible for Disability Tax Credit.

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How Is Epilepsy Treated In People With A Learning Disability

Treatment of epilepsy usually involves taking anti-epileptic drugs to prevent seizures from happening. Treating people with a learning disability can often be more difficult as their seizures may be more prolonged or frequent. In both cases, this may be due to the underlying cause or brain damage.

Being able to understand their own epilepsy, and how to manage it, is important for everyone taking AEDs. Some people with learning disabilities can find it difficult to understand how and why they need to take their AEDs. They may need help with understanding this from relatives, carers or the health professionals involved in their care.

For people whose seizures are not controlled by medication, there may be other treatment options to help reduce seizures, for example brain surgery or VNS therapy. There are many things that are taken into account when someone is considered for surgery or VNS therapy. Each case is looked at individually to consider the possible benefits and risks.

Epilepsy And Learning Disabilities: Helping Children At School

Epilepsy is not just about seizures. What many people dont realize is that for some children with epilepsy, problems with learning and school performance can sometimes be harder to deal with than the seizures themselves.

Why Are Kids with Epilepsy at Higher Risk for Problems at School?

Children with epilepsy are at risk for having attention problems, learning disabilities, and other cognitive weaknesses, such as difficulty with memory or problem-solving skills. Often, seizures and cognitive difficulties can be caused by the same underlying problem in the brain. In some cases, the seizures themselves can impact brain development, particularly for children who have very frequent seizures.

Seizure medications are important to help control seizures, but sometimes they can have side-effects that impact attention or thinking speed. For some children, having seizures can also affect sleep, school attendance, and the ability to focus during the school day.

What Should I Do If I Think My Child Is Having Difficulty?

You should also talk to your childs neurologist if you suspect they may be having learning or thinking problems related to their epilepsy. In many cases a referral for a neuropsychological evaluation might be recommended.

What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

Following the one-on-one testing session, you will meet with the neuropsychologist to discuss test results and you will be provided with a written report that outlines results and recommendations.

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Epilepsy And Learning Disabilities

Statistically, children with epilepsy are more likely to have learning disabilities than other kids, according to Turk. But that doesn’t mean that children with epilepsy are underachievers. Plenty of children with epilepsy are straight-A students. If your child is having problems in school, talk to your doctor about possible reasons. Among them:

Sometimes, learning disabilities are directly related to the epilepsy. Whatever is causing seizures in the brain may also affect your child’s ability to learn.
Also, epilepsy medicines might cause side effects that can impair a child’s ability to concentrate.
Your child could have an unrelated learning disability, like any other child.
Lastly, depression may be a serious and unrecognized issue for children with epilepsy. Depression is “definitely a problem for young adults with epilepsy, and I think for kids, too,” Turk says. Kids with depression may have low energy, a limited attention span, and bad grades. Parents should not assume these symptoms are normal for children with epilepsy. Turk says that parents who notice their child is having problems in school should step in quickly. “Don’t stick your head in the sand,” he says. “You need to get it checked out. The learning disability may have little to do with the epilepsy itself. It may be something that can be corrected easily.”

Types Of Cerebral Palsy

Walking Ability, Intellectual Disability, & Epilepsy in Adults with Cerebral Palsy | Jonsson | DMCN

There are two main types of cerebral palsy: pyramidal and extrapyramidal. The pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems are the two principal systems of the brain and spinal cord that control movement. The pyramidal system is primarily concerned with strength and control of fine movements of the arms and legs, especially the hands and feet. The extrapyramidal system is primarily concerned with more basic aspects of movement and exerts greater control over muscles of the body, shoulders, and hips, although it also controls muscles in the arms and legs. Many children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy have overlapping features of these two types. Children with either type of cerebral palsy may have ataxia, tremor, or other impairments such as mental handicap.

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Key Points About Epilepsy And Seizures In Children

A seizure occurs when one or more parts of the brain has a burst of abnormal electrical signals that interrupt normal signals
There are many types of seizures. Each can cause different kinds of symptoms. These range from slight body movements to loss of consciousness and convulsions.
Epilepsy is when a person has 2 or more seizures with no known cause.
Epilepsy is treated with medicine. In some cases, it may be treated with VNS or surgery.
Its important to avoid anything that triggers seizures. This includes lack of sleep.

Children and Epilepsy: Everything a Family Needs to Know

Pediatric epilepsy specialists Dr. Dody Robinson and Dr. Sarah Kelley recently hosted a webinar for patients and families. Hear from them about the latest in surgical and non-surgical treatment options for this neurological condition.

If Your Child Has Frequent Disruptive Seizures Despite Being On Medication And You Have Low Income Your Child Should Be Eligible For Ssi

By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder of the brain that causes repeated seizures, which are defined as episodes of electrical activity in the brain that cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, or changes in behavior. Epileptic seizures can be caused by cerebral palsy or brain trauma, tumor, or infections, but sometimes the cause is not known.

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Is Epilepsy A Disability In Canada

Due to the severity of symptoms, disability for epilepsy can be available for kids through the Epilepsy Child Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit. Epilepsy disability benefits can provide anti-epileptic drugs or other effective treatments for epilepsy in children, finally granting them peace of mind.

The National Benefit Authority is Canadas leading service provider for the Disability Tax Credit, including the Child Disability Tax Credit and Child Disability Benefit.

If your child is diagnosed with epilepsy, we can help you navigate the complex DTC application process, simplifying each step for a quick and stress-free claim. We have no upfront fees, and have now helped over 40,000 Canadians successfully receive their disability benefits.

Contact us for more information on the Epilepsy Disability Tax Credit, Child Disability Tax Credit, or Child Disability Benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Get Disability For Epilepsy

Getting Disability Benefits for a Child With Epilepsy ...

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder defined by unprovoked seizures that result from disruptive brain activity. The unique condition primarily affects children, or seniors in the 60+ age demographic, though it can be diagnosed at any age.

There are three main types of epilepsy: symptomatic epilepsy, cryptogenic epilepsy, and idiopathic epilepsy. Symptomatic epilepsy refers to disruption in brain activity cryptogenic epilepsytraces brain damage to learning disabilities and idiopathic epilepsy refers to epilepsy in which the cause cannot be found, but symptoms remain consistent.

The causes of epilepsy ranges from birth defects, stroke and head injury, to alcohol or drug abuse.Keep in mind there are numerous causes of seizures, so its important to have the condition, or any potential epilepsy symptoms, correctly diagnosed.

Epilepsy symptoms vary depending on the type of seizure. Typically, a person with epilepsy will have the same type of seizure each time, so their symptoms will be similar. Here are the most common seizure symptoms to watch for: Temporary confusion Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs Loss of consciousness or awareness Psychic symptoms

Epilepsy treatment can come in the form of anti-epileptic drugs, though theyve been known to incur side effects such as poor concentration, mood swings, unsteadiness, and nausea. But, the pros of controlling spontaneous seizures often outweigh these potential cons.

Will My Child Get Dla

Your child may be eligible for DLA if their epilepsy or any other disability or health condition means:

They need much more looking after than a child of the same age who doesnt have a disability and/or
They have difficulty getting about

They must have had these difficulties for at least 3 months and expect them to last for at least 6 months. If your child gets the middle or higher care rate of DLA and you care for them for 35 hours a week or more, you may be able to get Carers Allowance.

Sickkids Good 2 Go Transition Program: Expand Sickkids Good 2 Go Transition Program: Section

The SickKids Good 2 Go program provides information, tools, and strategies to assist children and their families in graduating from pediatric health care to the adult system. While your child may never have gone to SickKids, there is a variety of information that you may find helpful in this transition period for your entire family.

For example, MyHealth Passport, a wallet-sized card that lists a persons important medical information, may be useful to you or your child. You can read more about it here and create your own for free here. Similarly, there is also the MyEducation Passport which can present important information to help teach others about a persons unique way of learning. You can read more about it here and create one for free here.

There are also a variety of links to other resources that may be helpful to your family which you can find on the programs website.

Epilepsy Foundation

About Kids Health

Girls With Nerve

Resources for Teens & Young Adults with Disabilities

Who is eligible?

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Qualifying For Epilepsy Disability Benefits

In order to determine if your child qualifies for SSI, the SSA will evaluate your child’s condition to see if it meets the official disability listing for children diagnosed with epilepsy: 111.02.

To qualify under this listing, you must provide a detailed description of your child’s seizures from a physician who has observed the types of seizures your child experiences. This must include one of the following:

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures that occur at least once a month for three consecutive months despite following prescribed treatment
Focal dyscognitive seizures or absence seizures that occur at least once a week for three consecutive months despite following prescribed treatment

When counting the number of seizures your child has, the SSA will consider:

Multiple seizures that occur in one 24-hour period as one seizure
A continuous series of seizures during which the child does not regain consciousness between each as one seizure
A dyscognitive seizure that develops into a generalized tonic-clonic seizure as one generalized tonic-clonic seizure

The SSA considers a patient to have followed prescribed treatment if he or she has taken medication or followed other treatments prescribed by a physician. If your child’s condition continues despite following his or her doctor’s orders, he or she has met this requirement for the listing.

How Do I Claim Dla

Social Security Disability Insurance – Impacts to Individuals with Epilepsy

Download the claim form from the gov.uk website or call 0800 121 4600.

In Northern Ireland you can download a claim form, or contact the Disability and Carers Service or your local Jobs and Benefits office.

Cerebra is a charity for children with neurological problems, including epilepsy. They have a free step-by-step guide to filling in the DLA claim form. The guide also has information on what to do if you are unhappy with a DLA decision. You can download it from the Cerebra website, or request a copy by calling 0800 328 1159, or emailing

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Can You Qualify For Disability Benefits Because Of Epilepsy

Adults with epilepsy may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration evaluates epilepsy according to the type, frequency, duration, and nature of the seizures. Because epilepsy isn’t necessarily disabling if it’s well-controlled, you will need to prove that your epilepsy interferes with your daily activities even though you’ve taken anticonvulsant medications as prescribed for at least three months. You’ll also need to show that any alcohol or drug use isn’t contributing to your medication’s lack of effectiveness.

When you file for benefits, a claims examiner, and sometimes a medical consultant, will be assigned to review the evidence and determine if you’re eligible for benefits. They will be looking for the following items in your records:

a diagnosis of epilepsy
a detailed description of your typical seizure, including all pre- and post-seizure symptoms
a statement from your doctor corroborating your account of the nature and frequency of your seizures
a description of your seizures from a third-party witness
a record indicating the frequency of your past seizures
results of an EEG, and
a detailed treatment history, including medications and other treatments that you’ve tried and your response to them.

A Letter To My Younger Self Preparing Me For Epilepsy

To this day Im the only one who put my elementary school on lockdown, all because of a seizure. The sad thing is, I dont remember any of it as I was heading to the hospital in the ambulance. Those first few seizures knocked me out for hours, and had me recovering for days. From when I was first diagnosed, I faced a second life challenge I couldnt wait to take on. As a young kid, I was faced with a new normal that not even I was familiar with. I wanted to write a letter to my 9-year-old self about everything that would be coming my way.

Dear Kyle,

I know youre slowly recovering in the ambulance from something you just cant figure out. Let me fill you in on it. As you were walking out of the classroom to get something from your backpack, you had your first encounter with epilepsy. Yes, thats right, you had a seizure. After numerous tests youll get done at the hospital, the doctors will finally let you know. In a day or two, you will be back to your normal self. You will soon forget about the seizure and carry on with your school year. However, I warn you not to forget about me too soon. Ill be back.

Sorry, but I warned you about me and how I may come back. Over a few weeks, you experienced how strong seizures can be. You were driven home by your dad a few times and spent much more time in the nurses office. I give you credit for playing some Little League games on days when you had seizures.