Epilepsy is a word many people have heard but often do not know its true meaning.

What is an epileptic fit?
An epileptic fit represents the manifestation of the illness: it is set off by the excessive activity of brain cells, with an effect comparable to a sudden electric shock in the brain or in a part of it. The fit starts suddenly and stops more or less rapidly. Between a fit and another fit there are generally no symptoms. For epilepsy to be accurately diagnosed, one must have had at least two fits and the fits themselves need to have more or less a specific duration.

How can I recognise an epileptic fit?
Epileptic fits can be different and varied: they can be disturbances of the consciousness, with unsual movements and sensations, depending on the affected brain area. There might be a disturbance in the areas controlling movement, or the heart, the breathing, language and emotions, as well as areas that are essential for memory, learning and thinking.

Usually, when we think about epilepsy, we immediately think about the loss of consciousness, the fall and violent tremors in the whole body of the affected person - typical symptoms of the 'grand mal'. However there are many ways in which the illness shows itself and a knowledge of the different possible manifestations is useful when trying to identify the type of epilepsy so that it can be treated as early as possible.

Some data:
Approximately 5-10 children in every 100 become epileptic.

About 20% of affected people start to have syptomes by their 5th year of life, in 50% of cases it develops before the 25th year of age. Usually in the 65-85% of children affected, it is not possible to establish the cause of the illness. A third of the children usually heal and do not have symptoms after adolescence.

Thanks to therapeutic developments of recent years, over half the people affected are already experiencing remission after the first year. In any case all people with epilepsy can be helped in reducing symptoms as the range of pharmaceutical treatments is improving all the time. With an epileptic child, the contribution of the entire family is especially crucial.

How can parents be affected by their epileptic child?
Often parents become anxious and tend to be over-protective. This attitude can be damaging for the development of self-esteem in the child and can cause them embarassment and fear at being treated differently due to their condition. It is important to speak openly with the child and offer him or her reassurance. This helps them accept their condition and live happily like every other child.

USEFUL INFORMATIONS IN THE EVENT OF A FIT

In the event of a fit, the following steps should be taken:

• If the person falls over, let them lie on their side without blocking their movements.

• Put something soft under their head

• Observe carefully what happens during the fit

• Wait until the crisis has passed

• Help calm and relax the person when he/she is conscious again

• Do not get scared.

In the event of a fit, it is advisable to call the doctor only when:

• The fit is lasting more than 5 minutes
  
  
• The person has great difficulty in gaining consciousness again
  
  
• There is a second fit
  
  
• There are breathing difficulties
  
  
• The person has injured themself

AUTISM

Autistic people assume different behaviours. Some are very introverted and this is why the term autism was created (auto is latin for 'the self'). Others assume behaviours that necessitate repetition of gestures, words and have constant repetitive points of reference. They do not seem so much introverted as they seem to be mentally organised in such a way that they cannot free themselves of repetition or be able to cope with new situations.

There are different characteristics to these syndromes, therefore scientists prefer the term in its plural form: 'autisms' that can be reduced to a main difficulty: reciprocity. They have great difficulty in reciprocating with other people and they need clear points of reference, time and space clearly defined help them greatly, especially in establishing relationships. Communication is easier within this framework and searching for interaction with an autistic person is definitely easier if we are clear in our language and forthcoming. Even though it might seem that our efforts are not understood immediately, there will be the possibility that they will be understood later.

Understanding cannot always be confirmed by the autistic person because of this difficulty in reciprocating, therefore communication needs perseverance, whilst maintaining respect for their dignity by choosing clear and firm attitudes that are also warm, at ease and open to new developments.