By: Fiza Nadeem
Epilepsy and Learning Disorders
What are leaning disorders?
Learning disorders are classified as disorders that interfere with daily activities, such as mathematical skills, reading, writing, and academic performance. It is defined by differences in a child’s learning ability and an area of achievement. Learning disorders are not attributed to emotional disturbances, mental retardation, disadvantages, or differences (Beghi et al., 2006, p.14)
Learning disabilities in the general population
It has increased with the prevalence of a learning disability being 2 to 10% in the general population. In relation to students in public schools within the United States, there are about 3 to 5% of students who have have a learning disability (Beghi et al., 2006, p.14)
Epilepsy in the general population
The research paper points out that the risk of epilepsy is high in patients who have a neurological abnormality. Other examples would be cerebral palsy or intellectual disabilities. In a year, the annual rate of new cases in relation of epilepsy is 5-7 cases from birth to the age of 15 years old and its per 1,000 children. Studies that are population-based have demonstrated that the prevalence is increasing from “2–4/1,000 at the age of 7 to 4-6/1,000 at the age of 11 to 15” (Beghi et al., 2006, p.15). Children who have other health problems are prone to a continuity of seizures compared to adults who only have epilepsy (Beghi et al., 2006, p.15)
Academic difficulties and learning disabilities in epilepsy
50% of children who suffer from epilepsy have difficulties that are related to school. For example, it could be issues such as underachievement and severe problems. Examples of underachievement are reading comprehension, writing, general knowledge, math, and spelling. Children who suffer from epilepsy receive specialized academic education in comparison to 0% of children who do not have neurological problems. When it comes to secondary school, it was found that only 33% of children who have epilepsy and are between the ages of 12 and 18 attend school. Thirty-four percent of children with normal IQ and epilepsy failed their school achievements, whereas 34% have educational support specifically designed for their needs. A study in two provinces of Finland, which included children has demonstrated that learning disorders are seen in reading disorders, mathematical disorders, as well as writing disorders (Beghi et al., 2006, p.15).
Predictors of learning disabilities in epilepsy
Learning disability is prevalent in older children compared to younger children. Children who have seizures earlier are at risk of cognitive impairment because the seizures interfere with the learning functions that are developing in a child. Children who have a significantly higher number of seizures are at risk of learning disabilities. A barrier to this, which has been stated in the paper, is that the role of dysfunctions and brain lesions in causing a learning disability has not been clear. People who have epilepsy within the temporal lobe have poor academic performance since it is part of the left hemisphere. In contrast, if it involved the right hemisphere of the brain, it would cause an impairment in visual tests (Beghi et al., 2006, p.15).
Permanent and state-dependent learning disability
Permanent learning disabilities happen due to brain dysfunction or brain lesions. It could be prenatal, postnatal, or perinatal. Abnormalities due to chromosomes or a particular type of epilepsy syndrome. Epilepsy can cause dysfunctions and brain lesions, which, in turn, cause a permanent learning disability. State-dependent learning disabilities are treatable and reversible. The cause is due to factors that affect patients with epileptic seizures in the moment. There are some ways in which epilepsy is state-dependent. Preictal changes are changes in mood for days or hours before having a seizure. This includes sleepiness, mania, schizophrenia from paranoia, postictal depressive. Ictal changes: seen in children with nonconvulsive status epilepticus or atypical absence. This causes difficulties in academic settings and performance because of interruptions of awareness within the classroom and the seizures being silent or nocturnal. Absence seizures and interictal epileptic form discharge. They impact learning, socialization, and awareness. Furthermore, there are drugs which induce state-dependent learning disability depending on the type of effect. Direct effects include drugs such as phenobarbital, primidone, benzodiazepines which produce attention deficits, mood disorders, and sedation. Indirect effects include irritability, impact on the ability to perform cognitive tasks, diplopia. If the use of the drugs has been for a long time, it can cause a permanent learning disability (Beghi et al., 2006, p.16).
Learning disabilities in other clinical conditions
Learning disabilities are associated with disorders such as asthma, brain tumors, diabetes, and neurofibromatosis. A study has demonstrated that people with diabetes are at risk of academic problems, while children with asthma may struggle with low attendance due to an increase in the number of attacks (Beghi et al., 2006, p.17).
Limitations
There are barriers to the research, as it has been stated that patients may represent severe diseases of variables, which can lead to an overestimate of learning disabilities. It involves the lack of ability to confirm that patients with mental disabilities are included or not, tests vary based on the studies, and their clinical significance is different. In contrast, for epilepsy, there is difficulty in being able to determine the risk due to the lack of controls in studies (Beghi et al., 2006, p.16 & 17).
Conclusion
In conclusion, epilepsy is correlated with learning disabilities in children. The learning disability causes challenges in various areas such as academic performance, reading, writing, and mathematical abilities in children. Based on the research, we know that children who have neurological abnormalities such as cerebral palsy are at risk of epilepsy (Beghi et al., 2006, p.15) . In return, these neurological abnormalities can damage other areas of the brain, hindering a child’s development in the process. As a result, learning disabilities can be permanent due to brain dysfunctions or state dependent due to current underlying factors that can impact a person (Beghi et al., 2006, p.16). With that being said, children are part of the vulnerable population, and it is our job as a society to ensure their well-being is a priority especially in the academic context.
References:
Beghi, M., Cornaggia, C. M., Frigeni, B., & Beghi, E. (2006). Learning Disorders in Epilepsy. Epilepsia, 47(s2), 14–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00681.x
