Of the roughly 500,000 children in the U.S. with epilepsy, nearly 30% will continue to have seizures despite medications. In this series, parents and caregivers will learn when to consider additional treatments, what surgical options are available, and how to talk to their child and other family members about epilepsy surgery. There will also be the opportunity to hear from families that have taken the epilepsy surgery journey and learn about their experiences first-hand.
Session 1 – When Medications Aren’t Enough: Considerations for Epilepsy Surgery
In this presentation, CHOP Pediatric Neurologist Sudha Kessler, MD, MSCE, will give an overview of epilepsy treatment options when standard antiseizure medications are not controlling seizures, with a focus on surgical treatments. Dr. Kessler will explain what to expect from the evaluation process, what types of surgeries children have for epilepsy and why, and how to talk with your neurologist about these treatment options.
Moderator: Kathleen Galligan, MS, PA-C
Session 2 – Preparing for Epilepsy Surgery
In this presentation, a team of CHOP specialists — including Psychologist Amanda Riisen, PsyD; Psychologist Carinna Scotti-Degnan, PhD; Child Life Specialist Elana Breitenbucher, MS, CCLS; Social Worker Jillyan Lynch, MSW; and Social Worker Margie Canales, MSW — will review how to help you and your child prepare for epilepsy surgery. They will focus on how to discuss epilepsy surgery in a developmentally appropriate way and the role of a pediatric psychologist, child life specialist, and social worker in supporting the entire family throughout this process. Their goal is for families to know how and when to access members of the behavioral health team.
Session 3 – My Epilepsy Surgery Journey: Family Stories
Hear testimonials from families about their epilepsy surgery journey, how they navigated decisions, and what life is like after surgery.
Moderator: Alexandra Bullock, LCSW, MSW
This seminar focuses on neuroscience and was delivered at a virtual event titled, “Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Series,” from November 7, 2022 to November 17, 2022.
To request an appointment with the CHOP Neuroscience team, please click the link below.
Content Disclaimer
The Terms of Use and Privacy Policy set forth on the website of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia apply to any and all uses of and access to this site and the content found here.
The work presented in the presentations, videos, and other content on this site (“Presentations”) includes publicly available medical evidence, a consensus of medical practitioners, and/or opinions of individual practitioners that may differ from consensus opinions. These Presentations are intended only to provide general information and need to be adapted for each specific patient based on the practitioner’s professional judgment, consideration of any unique circumstances, the needs of each patient and their family, the availability of various resources at the health care institution where the patient is located, and other factors. The Presentations are not intended to constitute medical advice or treatment, nor should they be relied upon as such. The Presentations are not intended to create a doctor-patient relationship between/among The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, its physicians and the individual patients in question. The information contained in these Presentations are general in nature, and do not and are not intended to refer to specific patients.
CHOP, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation and its or their affiliates, the authors, presenters, practitioners, editors, and others associated with the creation of the Presentations (“CHOP”) are not responsible for errors or omissions in the Presentations; for any outcomes a patient might experience where a clinician reviewed one or more such Presentations in connection with providing care for that patient; and/or for any and all third party content on the site or in the Presentations. CHOP makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the currency, completeness, applicability or accuracy of the Presentations. Application of the information in or to a particular situation remains the professional responsibility of the practitioner who is directly treating the patient.
To the extent that the Presentations include information regarding drug dosing, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the viewer should not rely on the Presentation content, but rather is urged to check the package insert for each drug for indications, dosage, warnings and precautions.
Some drugs and medical devices presented in the Presentations have United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for limited use in restricted research settings. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to ascertain the FDA status of each drug or device planned for use in their clinical practice.
You shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless CHOP, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation, and its/their current and former employees, officers, and agents, trustees, and their respective successors, heirs and assigns (“Indemnitees”) against any claims, liability, damage, loss or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses of litigation) in connection with any claims, suits, actions, demands or judgments arising directly or indirectly out of your reference to or use of the Presentations.
The Presentations are protected by copyright laws and in some cases patent laws, and all rights are reserved under such laws. No part of the Presentations may be reproduced in any form by any means, or utilized in any other way, absent prior written permission from the copyright owner.
By starting this module, you agree to our Content Disclaimer and Terms of Service.
Course Includes
- 4 Lessons
- Course Certificate