PHP's Seizure and Epilepsy Network is now meeting on the first Monday evening every other month (even-numbered month.) Our next meeting will be on October 6, 2008.  Come share information and resources with other parents who understand the challenges of raising a child with seizures. This group features group discussion and speakers on a variety of topics relating to seizures. New families are always welcome.  Future meetings have been scheduled for December 2008 and February, April, and June 2009.  They will soon be listed on PHP's Events calendar. 

A resource packet to acquaint families with epilepsy and seizure disorders is available by calling our office at (408) 727-5775. If you would like to speak to another parent that has a child with similar issues, don't hesitate to call us to request a mentor parent.

"The Epilepsy and Seizure Disorder Guide: A Resource Guide For Parents" is now available!

An electronic version (PDF format) of the Guide can be accessed:

Children are one of life’s greatest gifts. As parents, we want to do all we can to nurture and take care of our children. As a parent of a child with epilepsy, also referred to as seizure disorders, you face the additional challenge of learning as much as you can about your child’s special needs. This Guide was written with you in mind. It was written to give you some very basic information, including an introduction to epilepsy and seizure disorders. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Any questions related to the medical treatment of your child should always be addressed to your child ’s pediatrician/family physician or neurologist.

While this Guide may not provide all of the information you are looking for, it should help you begin your search. Throughout ( this Guide) , we include information about additional resources that we hope will be useful as you begin this journey – a journey that is likely to evolve as you become more knowledgeable about your child’ s condition. Clearly not every parent needs or seeks the same information, so take from this information what applies and is of value to you and your child.

Our PHP Library has a wealth of videos and books on the topic of seizure disorders and our librarian is happy to assist you in locating them. There are many other resources that are available to assist you.

Epilepsy Foundation of America The Epilepsy Network in Santa Cruz Learn about the Vagal Nerve Stimulator Information about seizure surgery The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Ketogenic Diet Information

The Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California has created a Toolkit of materials in PDF format for families and providers to use. The Toolkit includes the following documents:

• Epilepsy in Children: Learning and School Performance
• Epilepsy: Legal RIghts, Legal Issues
• What Everyone SHould Know About Epilepsy
• Me and My World Storybook
• Because You Are My Friend (also in Spanish)
• Seizure Recognition and First Aid
• Kids and Seizures: Know the Hidden Signs (also in Spanish)
• A Child's Guide to Seizure Disorders
• Epilepsy: Talking to Your Doctor
• Issues and Answers: Exploring your Possibilities, A Guide for Teens and Young Adults with Epilepsy
• Children and Seizure, Information for Babysitters
• Seizures, Epilepsy and Your Child (also in Spanish)
• Finding Out About Seizures, A Guide to Medical Tests (also in Spanish)
• Finding Out About Epilepsy, A Guide to Treatment (also in Spanish)
• Answering your Questions about Epilepsy (also in Spanish)

To request these documents be emailed to you (maximum of 5), please send your request to mouna@php.com. For grant purposes, please include the following information with your request for materials:

• Your name, Address, Phone number
• Child’s name, Child's birthdate and disability
• Languages spoken at home, Race, Number of children and adults in the household
• Whether you are contacting us as a parent or as a special education professional
• Your e-mail address