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Epilepsy Toronto provides counselling, employment support, advocacy and education to help people with epilepsy live well.
We believe that taking part of an active epilepsy community, receiving vital support and connecting with others who are going
through similar experiences helps manage the challenges of living with epilepsy. We encourage you to look at our programs and
services we provide and contact us to find out more. We would be delighted to help.
A directory of our services is set out below:
Click on the headings to read all the information
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| SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH EPILEPSY |
Living with epilepsy can pose many physical, psychological and social challenges for adults with epilepsy and their families or loved ones.
At Epilepsy Toronto we offer:
- Individual, Couple and Family Counselling Services:
Experienced counselors are available to provide professional counseling for a wide range of personal and relationship issues. We can assist you to cope better with the difficulties of living with a seizure disorder.
- Support Groups:
Our Support Groups offer adults of all ages a safe place to meet and discuss matters of common concern which can be extremely beneficial. Other groups we offer include a Surgery Support Group for those who are candidates for (or adjusting to) epilepsy surgery and a Group for Parents of Young Adults and Teenagers with epilepsy.
Other groups we offer include a Surgery Support Group for those who are candidates for (or adjusting to) epilepsy surgery, Professionals Group, a network for new or expecting mothers and a Group for Parents of Young Adults and Teenagers with epilepsy.
- Employment Support:
Getting and keeping a job can be especially difficult for the person with epilepsy, but our Employment Specialist can help. Employment-related counselling is available to people with epilepsy, as well as consultancy services to employers. Our focus is on job acquisition, retention and workplace adjustment. Through vocational and supportive counselling, we address employment standards, labour legislation, income support, insurance and driving issues.
- Information and Education:
We at Epilepsy Toronto believe that being fully informed about epilepsy is key to being able to live successfully with this disorder, so we offer many different opportunities for our members to learn more about epilepsy and to stay current. For example, our Epilepsy Resource Centre contains a lending library of books, videos and resource materials; our Newsletters keep you up-to-date; and our Lecture Series and Conferences ensures that you are more fully informed. You can also "Take a Online Course" electronically.
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| SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY |
More than half of all newly-diagnosed patients with epilepsy are children under the age of 10. Children and teenagers with epilepsy and their parents often have special concerns, and require information and support to face the challenges of living with a seizure disorder. Epilepsy Toronto offers a specific program customized to meet the needs of young people and their families. Specifically, we offer:
- Child, Parent and Family Counselling Services:
Experienced counselors are available to assist you or your family on coping successfully with childhood epilepsy and can provide counseling to the child or teenager on a variety of issues.
- Support Group for Parents of Young Adults and Teenagers with Epilepsy:
How do you foster your young adult or teenager's independence, while balancing concerns for their safety and well-being? Learn from other parents, develop effective coping strategies and decrease isolation. All meetings are held at Epilepsy Toronto. Call Fatima Santos, Director of Children and Youth Services at (416) 964-9095.
- Information and Education:
We at Epilepsy Toronto believe that being fully informed about epilepsy is key to being able to live successfully with this disorder, so we offer many different opportunities for our members to learn more about epilepsy and to stay current. For example, our Epilepsy Resource Centre contains a lending library of books, videos and resource materials; our Newsletters keep you up-to-date; and our Lecture Series and Conferences ensures that you are more fully informed. You can also "Take a Online Course" electronically.
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Getting and keeping a job can be especially difficult for the person with epilepsy, but our Employment Specialists can help. Employment-related counselling is available to people with epilepsy, as well as consultancy services to employers. Our focus is on job acquisition, retention and workplace adjustment. Through vocational and supportive counselling, we address employment standards, labour legislation, income support, insurance and driving issues.
- Help identify issues in the workplace from the perspective of employee and employer and evaluate the impact of the employee’s seizures/disability.
- Make recommendations for workplace accommodations and offer support for implementation.
- Offer various solutions for any problems that arise in the workplace.
- Provide epilepsy education and training to company staff.
- Are approved by ODSP Toronto for job retention.
- Help those without employment to prepare for the job market (offering support in job search strategies).
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Other specialty services we provide include:
- Educational Presentations, Professional consultations or in-service workshops Experienced counselors are available to assist you or your family on coping successfully with childhood epilepsy and can provide counseling to the child or teenager on a variety of issues.
- Epilepsy Resource Centre:
Have a question? The Epilepsy Resource Centre contains pamphlets (in several languages), videos, books and articles-- all about epilepsy. We will mail you out an information package, and our members can borrow materials from the library and request on-line searches by our staff. This website is another of the services of the Epilepsy Resource Centre.
- Newsletters:
Epilepsy Toronto members receive three different newsletters, the Epilepsy Matters (formerly EAupdate), the Bulletin, and "Talking About Epilepsy...". These newsletters keep you up to date on epilepsy-related topics of interest, on current events and developments at our association, and on the personal experiences of people living with epilepsy, respectively. To receive them, simply "Become a Member". Membership is free!
- Lectures and Conferences:
Our free Lecture Series offers informative talks on requested topics by experts in the field-- everything from surgery to sexuality. Our Conferences offer an interesting way to stay on top of the latest developments in areas like medications and alternative therapies, while hearing from inspirational speakers and meeting other people living with epilepsy. Check out what's coming up on our Events Calendar.
- Kids on the Block:
Trained volunteers take this educational puppet show into the schools throughout Toronto to teach young children (Grades 1-6) about disabilities and medical conditions (including epilepsy), as well as accepting differences in themselves and others. For more information, visit the Kids on the Block (www.kidsontheblocktoronto.com).
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If you would like to help us continue to provide this wide range of services free of charge to the community,
Epilepsy Toronto would welcome your tax-deductible donation.
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