When It’s More Than Just Seizures
Children with epilepsy who also have an intellectual disability or mental handicap (a term preferred over the older term, “mental retardation”) or cerebral palsy present a wider range of problems than children who have uncomplicated epilepsy. Children with mental handicaps have below-average intellectual ability and are often impaired in their ability to understand, communicate, solve problems, and function in social settings.
Children with cerebral palsy have muscle weakness, difficulty standing or walking, or postural problems. Their intelligence may range from average to below average. Intellectual disability and cerebral palsy can also be associated with vision, hearing, and speech problems and possibly some physical deformity or emotional disturbance. Management of children with epilepsy and mental handicap or cerebral palsy requires the combined effort of doctors, therapists, education specialists, and parents.
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