Does Anyone Have Experience With A Dck Who May Have Seizures? Questions/Rant..

[melilley]

Oops! That was suppose to be bowel

Melilley, you probably already thought of this, if you are thinking on the lines of terming, then not having the training would give you the legit reason to term. kwim.

[melilley]

Thanks everyone!
In my heart, I know what I need to do.
Dh thinks I should wait to term until I find a replacement (I just lost one f/t to p/t and one p/t child), but to me, it's too much of a liability to have him here if I can't properly take care of dcb.

[NightOwl]

Slow down!! Seizures are NOT a big deal! If he has one, just move the other children away from him and let it run its course. I have lots of experience with seizures in children and my brother is epileptic also.

Once it's over, he'll be extremely tired and kind of disoriented, but that's basically all unless he hurts himself by bumping into a table or something while seizing.

Yes, you could be cited for discrimination for a medical condition.

The only thing I would take issue with is the medication and how it's administered. I would down right refuse. There are other options for medication. Most of them are a preventative type thing so once they figure out his dosage (taken at home) you likely won't see seizures anymore!

I would never term/deny enrollment for epilepsy. It's very easy to manage. Just give them a little time to work out the kinks, get the tests, get established in a med.

Grand mals are violent, shaking, jerking seizures. Not pretty to see. They look possessed.

Petit grand mals are much less physical. It's a visible seizure, but not as violent.

Absence seizures are the kind where they "blank out" and stare off into space. There won't be any sleepiness with these. The child may not even realize anything happened.

[NightOwl]

Also, I'd be happy to help you/walk you through it, if you decide to keep him. I could send you my number, so you could call me when it happens.

[NeedaVaca]

Slow down!! Seizures are NOT a big deal! If he has one, just move the other children away from him and let it run its course. I have lots of experience with seizures in children and my brother is epileptic also.

Once it's over, he'll be extremely tired and kind of disoriented, but that's basically all unless he hurts himself by bumping into a table or something while seizing.

Yes, you could be cited for discrimination for a medical condition.

The only thing I would take issue with is the medication and how it's administered. I would down right refuse. There are other options for medication. Most of them are a preventative type thing so once they figure out his dosage (taken at home) you likely won't see seizures anymore!

I would never term/deny enrollment for epilepsy. It's very easy to manage. Just give them a little time to work out the kinks, get the tests, get established in a med.

Grand mals are violent, shaking, jerking seizures. Not pretty to see. They look possessed.

Petit grand mals are much less physical. It's a visible seizure, but not as violent.

Absence seizures are the kind where they "blank out" and stare off into space. There won't be any sleepiness with these. The child may not even realize anything happened.

I disagree with this no big deal attitude...seizures CAN be serious! This is directly from epilepsy.com and the same guideline/descriptions can be found on many websites:

Most people don’t understand how serious seizures can be. They either think that seizures are not a problem or that everyone may die from them. The truth lies somewhere in between. The types of problems people may have range from injuries, the effect of repeated seizures on the brain, seizure emergencies, and death.

This is a scary topic to read and talk about. But it’s important to know the facts so you know what questions to ask your doctor and health care team. Also, knowing your risks, or those of your loved ones, may help you learn what to do to lessen these risks!
What type of injuries can occur?

Some seizures rarely cause problems for people, but overall, the chance of injury is higher for people with uncontrolled seizures. The type of injuries a person may get depends on the type of seizure, how long the seizure lasts, where the seizure occurs, and if it develops into an emergency.

Some common injuries may include:

Bruises
Cuts
Burns
Falls

More serious problems, such as broken bones, concussions, head injury with bleeding into the brain, or breathing problems usually are seen in people who have generalized seizures with falls, long seizures or repeated or clusters of seizures.

[NightOwl]

This is true for "uncontrolled" epilepsy, meaning the person doesn't take any preventative meds. My brother has gone up to 5 years without a seizure because his meds work well. I also had an employee with seizures and two children enrolled (at different times) with seizures. It's totally manageable. When a child had a seizure, we always called for pick up. If they have one, they're likely to have more that day. And they're usually very sleepy, so they needed to go home and go to bed.

[melilley]

Slow down!! Seizures are NOT a big deal! If he has one, just move the other children away from him and let it run its course. I have lots of experience with seizures in children and my brother is epileptic also.

Once it's over, he'll be extremely tired and kind of disoriented, but that's basically all unless he hurts himself by bumping into a table or something while seizing.

Yes, you could be cited for discrimination for a medical condition.

The only thing I would take issue with is the medication and how it's administered. I would down right refuse. There are other options for medication. Most of them are a preventative type thing so once they figure out his dosage (taken at home) you likely won't see seizures anymore!

I would never term/deny enrollment for epilepsy. It's very easy to manage. Just give them a little time to work out the kinks, get the tests, get established in a med.

Grand mals are violent, shaking, jerking seizures. Not pretty to see. They look possessed.

Petit grand mals are much less physical. It's a visible seizure, but not as violent.

Absence seizures are the kind where they "blank out" and stare off into space. There won't be any sleepiness with these. The child may not even realize anything happened.

Dcb is on preventative meds, but I'm still not comfortable. I have 4 to 5 other children here that are 2 and under and it would be very hard for me to be able to take care of Dcb when he is having a seizure, plus administer meds, and clean up if he were to have a bm. What if we are on a walk or I'm cooking or changing a diaper or doing whatever. And the brochure also says that you need to be trained in determining the type of seizure before giving it. I'm just not comfortable, especially being here by myself.

Thank you for the offer of help though!

[Blackcat31]

This isn't considered discrimination if I term because of a medical condition is it?

Don't term because of the seizure possibility.

Term because you can't provide the environment he needs (to be able to sleep at will) and because you don't have the extra eyes/hands to provide the one to one care/supervision he needs.

Do NOT say it's because of the seizures.

Make sense?

[Laurel]

I would need training AND a written plan of action from the Doctor before I'd provide care for the child.

I would seriously consider letting him go if you are concerned about his well being in your care. Also because he requires the space and ability to sleep as long and whenever he wants which you said will not work with your program.

That^^^ would be enough for me to bow out.

My oldest son had seizures...both grand mal and psychomotor. He just turned 40 so this was a long time ago. His was controlled by medication by mouth and then he outgrew them. I've never heard of the treatment you are suggesting. I would not be up for that.

Seizures in themselves are nothing to be afraid of but I wouldn't want to deal with them in a home childcare situation. A grand mal usually looks like twitching and possibly some flailing and eyes rolling. They are kind of alarming when you first see one but all I did was to hold my son gently or get him on the sofa and let it happen. You just have to make sure he doesn't injure himself by falling as he can't control his body. When it is over, they are disoriented and you just hug and talk gently to them. But with several other children there, I think this would be too hard.

A psychomotor seizure isn't harmful but very stressful. My son would crouch in a corner literally screaming and crying. When I would approach him he would look like he didn't know me and be terrified of me approaching him so I couldn't. That was heart wrenching. Luckily he only had a few of those.

I don't think you would be in trouble if you termed because you could rightfully claim that you don't have the capacity (not enough employees) to take care of him and the other children when he was having one of these. Also, you don't have the training. You also can't let him sleep as much as he wants and still be able to watch the other children. How could you go outside to play, or take them for a walk, etc.?

Laurel

[Blackcat31]

I disagree with this no big deal attitude...seizures CAN be serious! This is directly from epilepsy.com and the same guideline/descriptions can be found on many websites:

Most people don’t understand how serious seizures can be. They either think that seizures are not a problem or that everyone may die from them. The truth lies somewhere in between. The types of problems people may have range from injuries, the effect of repeated seizures on the brain, seizure emergencies, and death.

This is a scary topic to read and talk about. But it’s important to know the facts so you know what questions to ask your doctor and health care team. Also, knowing your risks, or those of your loved ones, may help you learn what to do to lessen these risks!
What type of injuries can occur?

Some seizures rarely cause problems for people, but overall, the chance of injury is higher for people with uncontrolled seizures. The type of injuries a person may get depends on the type of seizure, how long the seizure lasts, where the seizure occurs, and if it develops into an emergency.

Some common injuries may include:

Bruises
Cuts
Burns
Falls

More serious problems, such as broken bones, concussions, head injury with bleeding into the brain, or breathing problems usually are seen in people who have generalized seizures with falls, long seizures or repeated or clusters of seizures.

I also agree. Seizures CAN be a big deal. Even if they usually aren't. They CAN be and I for one do not want to be the ONLY provider on site with a GROUP of children when that ONE time it is a big deal happens.

I support OP's uneasiness as I would feel the same. I had an epileptic child in care who suffered from seizures. He was older and better equipped (as well as more experienced) in dealing with his condition compared to a 2 yr old but still not something I would be willing to do again.

Way too stressful and the care and supervision required can sometimes put other kids at risk. That is not a chance I am willing to take.

[NightOwl]

Dcb is on preventative meds, but I'm still not comfortable. I have 4 to 5 other children here that are 2 and under and it would be very hard for me to be able to take care of Dcb when he is having a seizure, plus administer meds, and clean up if he were to have a bm. What if we are on a walk or I'm cooking or changing a diaper or doing whatever. And the brochure also says that you need to be trained in determining the type of seizure before giving it. I'm just not comfortable, especially being here by myself.

Thank you for the offer of help though!

I understand, but be super careful with how you proceed. I wouldn't want you to get into any legal trouble. But, depending on your state, you may be able to term without giving any reason at all or, if you can prove that this is beyond your abilities, you could term based on that.

In Alabama, it says we cannot refuse care for a child with disabilities unless it "places undue hardship" onto the center or home. Such as, needing extra staff (financial hardship), decline in quality care for the other children (professional hardship), the need for extensive training (financial and time availability hardship), etc.

[Laurel]

Don't term because of the seizure possibility.

Term because you can't provide the environment he needs (to be able to sleep at will) and because you don't have the extra eyes/hands to provide the one to one care/supervision he needs.

Do NOT say it's because of the seizures.

Make sense?

I think we were typing at the same time as my post was similar.

[melilley]

My oldest son had seizures...both grand mal and psychomotor. He just turned 40 so this was a long time ago. His was controlled by medication by mouth and then he outgrew them. I've never heard of the treatment you are suggesting. I would not be up for that.

Seizures in themselves are nothing to be afraid of but I wouldn't want to deal with them in a home childcare situation. A grand mal usually looks like twitching and possibly some flailing and eyes rolling. They are kind of alarming when you first see one but all I did was to hold my son gently or get him on the sofa and let it happen. You just have to make sure he doesn't injure himself by falling as he can't control his body. When it is over, they are disoriented and you just hug and talk gently to them. But with several other children there, I think this would be too hard.

A psychomotor seizure isn't harmful but very stressful. My son would crouch in a corner literally screaming and crying. When I would approach him he would look like he didn't know me and be terrified of me approaching him so I couldn't. That was heart wrenching. Luckily he only had a few of those.

I don't think you would be in trouble if you termed because you could rightfully claim that you don't have the capacity (not enough employees) to take care of him and the other children when he was having one of these. Also, you don't have the training. You also can't let him sleep as much as he wants and still be able to watch the other children. How could you go outside to play, or take them for a walk, etc.?

Laurel

Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry you and your son went through that.
I guess I'm not really afraid if he physically has one here, I just worry about the other children, especially since all but one are 2.5 and under.

[MyAngels]

I would be very uneasy with this, especially because the seizures happened in a cluster. I knew a family once whose child had a series of seizures and the child ended up with damage to their brain because of it. Seizures are not something to be taken lightly in a group care situation.

[melilley]

Don't term because of the seizure possibility.

Term because you can't provide the environment he needs (to be able to sleep at will) and because you don't have the extra eyes/hands to provide the one to one care/supervision he needs.

Do NOT say it's because of the seizures.

Make sense?

Makes perfect sense!
Thank you, now I have a clear idea of what to say without discriminating.