Talking Point: How much do young people know about epilepsy?

This year's National Epilepsy Week (13 to 19 June) aims to raise awareness of how epilepsy affects young people. National charity Epilepsy Action defines epilepsy as a tendency to have recurrent seizures. It's a neurological condition where sudden bursts of electrical activity in the brain disrupt the normal message passing between brain cells. There are more than 40 different types of epilepsy and many different treatments.

Start a discussion about how epilepsy affects young people. Are there any young people in the group with epilepsy? Does anyone have experience with epilepsy or seizures? How is epilepsy perceived among young people? Is it thought of as a mental illness? Is it considered a disability? How would young people feel if one of their friends suffered from epilepsy? Would they be scared or worried? Talk about why young people that suffer from epilepsy might also become victims of bullying. A high percentage of people with epilepsy may be more prone to learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia. What sort of support might they need from their peers?