Hi! My name is Trudy and my 10 year old son, Jordan, just had his first two seizures in the past six weeks. Obviously it has been quite traumatic but I won't go into that because you have probably heard it all before.
I am finding my footing as to how to handle it with others to whom we entrust his care. So far, I have provided written instructions to his school, karate instructor and babysitters regarding how to respond if Jordan has a seizure while in their care. I used the standard procedures that are published everywhere, including, "Do not call an ambulance unless seizure last longer than 3 minutes or person stops breathing." Jordan's school has advised me that they are legally required to call an ambulance. He attends a small private school specializing in children with dyslexia, so perhaps the rules are different with private schools vs. public. They do not have a nurse on staff.
For many reasons, it is preferable that Jordan not be sent to the ER unless it is truly an emergency, which, based on what I have read, is not likely.
My question: Does anyone who has dealt with this situation have any advice for me? Of course his well-being is the most important thing and I would want the school to act in his best interests, but an unnecessary trip to the ER in an ambulance is kind of traumatic for a child and not something that we would want to do if we don't have to. Does anyone have any experience with this? How have you handled it? Is it appropriate to expect the school to be able to evaluate the length of his seizure and whether he is breathing? I do understand their concerns and so it looks like we have to consent to what they have said, but still, I would love feedback from any experts out there.
Thank you very much!
Trudy
I am finding my footing as to how to handle it with others to whom we entrust his care. So far, I have provided written instructions to his school, karate instructor and babysitters regarding how to respond if Jordan has a seizure while in their care. I used the standard procedures that are published everywhere, including, "Do not call an ambulance unless seizure last longer than 3 minutes or person stops breathing." Jordan's school has advised me that they are legally required to call an ambulance. He attends a small private school specializing in children with dyslexia, so perhaps the rules are different with private schools vs. public. They do not have a nurse on staff.
For many reasons, it is preferable that Jordan not be sent to the ER unless it is truly an emergency, which, based on what I have read, is not likely.
My question: Does anyone who has dealt with this situation have any advice for me? Of course his well-being is the most important thing and I would want the school to act in his best interests, but an unnecessary trip to the ER in an ambulance is kind of traumatic for a child and not something that we would want to do if we don't have to. Does anyone have any experience with this? How have you handled it? Is it appropriate to expect the school to be able to evaluate the length of his seizure and whether he is breathing? I do understand their concerns and so it looks like we have to consent to what they have said, but still, I would love feedback from any experts out there.
Thank you very much!
Trudy