Education and employment

Does having epilepsy mean a special school?

Most children with epilepsy go to ordinary schools and have the same range of intelligence as everyone else. Some children receive support from specialist teachers while they attend a normal school. There is only a need for specialist schools if the child has severe special educational needs and/or other problems which mean they need extra, or specialist, support to achieve their full potential.

Can I go on to further education?

People with epilepsy should have the same expectations as everyone else about going on to further education; there is no reason at all why young people with epilepsy shouldn't go on to further education, although it would be advisable to bear in mind future job options - depending on the type, severity and degree of control of your seizures - when selecting a course.

Do I need to tell my employer?

Under the Health & Safety at Work Act, you must legally tell a new employer if the job you are applying for is a health and safety risk i.e. could put you or others in danger if you had a seizure. Unless this is the case, you can choose whether or not you tell a new employer but, if you are likely to have a seizure at work, it would seem sensible to mention it before a seizure happens. It's up to you to decide what you think is best.

Does having epilepsy affect my career choices?

People with epilepsy can do any job except some which have special rules. The special rule jobs - which either bar people with epilepsy or require you to be seizure-free for a period of time - include ambulance driver, armed services, taxi driver, nurse, teacher in state schools and the police. Otherwise, you can do any job for which you have suitable qualifications and/or experience as long as you take into account avoiding situations which could put you or others at risk if you have a seizure (see next question).

What jobs are not suitable?

Jobs not ideal for people with uncontrolled seizures include: bus driver, pilot, machine operator. You will know how your seizures affect you and therefore what is likely to put you or others in danger if you were to have a seizure. Generally, the types of situations to avoid include working at heights, near open water, with babies or young children, with electricity, chemicals or fragile expensive equipment/materials, with unguarded machinery, fires or hot ovens/plates and around moving vehicles.

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