Guide to Supporting Students With Epilepsy
Foster School Safety and Student Wellbeing with Insights from Epilepsy Alliance America
Students with epilepsy face unique health and safety challenges—especially in school environments where seizures may happen without warning. For these students, having trained staff and clear emergency protocols can make the difference between a controlled situation and a crisis.
This guide was created in partnership with Epilepsy Alliance America to equip school leaders with actionable insights and practical tools. It covers the legal requirements, medical response protocols, and student wellbeing supports that help ensure safety and equity for students living with epilepsy.
Be Prepared to Support Every Student & Staff Member
What You'll Learn:
Chapter 1: Epilepsy Training Laws by State
Get a breakdown of current state mandates on seizure training for school staff. Understand where laws require training and how districts can ensure compliance.
- 30 states currently have seizure training laws
Chapter 2: The Importance of Training School Staff on Seizure Recognition & First Aid
Explore four key reasons every school should train staff on seizure recognition and first aid:
- Reduce stigma
- Improve student safety
- Meet staff demand
- Respond to emerging vaping risks
Chapter 3: Supporting Students with Epilepsy & Their Mental Health
Students with epilepsy often face stigma, anxiety, or emotional stress. Discover how schools can support their mental health alongside physical safety.
- Develop coping skills
- Build peer supports
- Promote inclusion
Chapter 4: Emergency Preparedness & Responding to Seizures in Schools
From seizure action plans to real-time alerts, explore how schools can create seizure-smart environments with proactive emergency planning. Share essential information:
- Recognition and response protocol
- Parent and healthcare provider contacts
- Medication specifically for that student
Chapter 5: Epilepsy Alliance America Training Through Raptor
Learn how Raptor’s partnership with Epilepsy Alliance America delivers trusted, up-to-date training for your entire staff—aligned with best practices and state-specific mandates.
- Understand the basics about epilepsy
- Recognize common seizure types, treatment options, and their possible impact on student learning
- Identify appropriate first aid and recognize when a seizure is a medical emergency
“While our school nurses train staff on seizure care every year prior to the start of school and review specific student seizure care plans, our training comes at a time when teachers are inundated with the typical start-to-school year schedules, meetings, emails, etc.,…circl[ing] back to this important topic, [later in the year], provides staff with an additional opportunity to review and learn more information. Our staff repeatedly told me how beneficial they found the training and how it increased their confidence in the care and support of their own students”
