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Enhancing academic success: A neuropsychological perspective Ann Hempel , Ph.D.

Enhancing academic success: A neuropsychological perspective Ann Hempel , Ph.D. Pediatric Neuropsychologist Minnesota Epilepsy Group, P.A. Cognitive differences in children with epilepsy.

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Enhancing academic success: A neuropsychological perspective Ann Hempel , Ph.D.

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  1. Enhancing academic success:A neuropsychological perspective Ann Hempel, Ph.D. Pediatric NeuropsychologistMinnesota Epilepsy Group, P.A.

  2. Cognitive differences in children with epilepsy • Children can have cognitive difficulties, such as in language or memory, that can be directly related to a particular seizure focus. Perhaps more often, however, learning differences follow family tendencies. • Most children can tolerate a single AED within the therapeutic range. Decreased alertness and speed of processing can be seen with higher doses and/or more than one medication. • In children with a form of primary generalized epilepsy, attention problems are common, even if seizures are well-controlled.

  3. Basic principles to maximize success • Don’t sacrifice sleep • Judge the instructional value of assignments for your child, emphasizing the biggest bang for the buck • Balance academics with other activities important for a good quality of life • More is not necessarily better; emphasize skills that are of highest priority or most responsive to instruction and intervention

  4. Basic Principles (Cont.) • Resist the temptation to allow the child to “sink or swim” • If aspects of school are difficult, try to define these and adopt a supportive mentality • Review and refresh new skills periodically to prevent fading, especially during the summer (this can be easier said than done) • Take advantage of “cheap labor” (older peers as tutors)

  5. When to seek outside assistance • You are finding you need to give your child much more support than other parents give to their kids • Your child isn’t learning and retaining academic skills as well as other students, and this is causing him/her to have difficulty handling regular classroom instruction • Your child seems inordinately frustrated by academic work or finds school aversive

  6. Common developmental conditions in both the general and epilepsy populations • ADHD • Reading Disorder • Disorder of Written Language • Mathematics Disorder • Language Disorder

  7. Helpful homework strategies for any child • Regular time and place for homework • Incentives for completing assignments, e.g. completing them accurately, independently, or without grousing. • “As soon as you ______, you can ________.” • No TV or other electronics until homework is done • Allow outside time or other opportunities for movement (e.g. chewing gum or sitting on a big ball during homework) • Beat the timer

  8. Final Thoughts • Trust your own instincts. If something seems difficult or stressful for your child, you’re probably right. • Be diplomatic but forthright in expressing concerns to teachers when you feel changes need to be made.

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