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PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Children and Youth Services
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Adult Services |
Children and Youth Services |
Employment Services |
Public Education and Diversity Outreach |
More than half of all newly-diagnosed patients with epilepsy are children under the age of 10. Epilepsy in childhood might mean that the child's seizures lead to absences from school, anti-seizure medication come with significant side effects that disturb the child's routines, and sometimes safety issues lead parents to become overly protective, resulting in isolation from other children. Parents of a child with epilepsy have real concerns and we're here to support and empower them as they manage their child's epilepsy.
With the diagnosis of epilepsy in a child, Epilepsy Toronto is often the first place a parent turns to for information, support and help. Our Child and Youth Services Director understands fully what parents are going through and can provide one-on-one counseling and years of acquired knowledge on how to overcome obstacles; social, medical or educational.
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CHILD, PARENT AND FAMILY COUNSELLING SERVICES |
The development of epilepsy in a child of any age can be a frightening experience for the whole family, and Epilepsy Toronto is often the first place they will turn for information, support and help. Parents are key figures in how children acknowledge their epilepsy and their reaction to the diagnosis will influence how the child sees himself. Our Director of Child and Youth Services can provide counselling to parents, the child or teenager on a variety of issues surrounding epilepsy and the impact of seizures - physically, emotionally, and socially.
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Our counselor works with parents to navigate the education system by involving parents, schools and supporting agencies, ensuring that appropriate accommodations are made for the child. We can create individual education plans together with the child's educators that meets the child's particular needs. We want to make sure every child enjoys learning and sees school as a positive experience. Peer attitudes have a huge influence on a child's educational experience and to raise awareness and destigmatize epilepsy, we have interactive and fun presentations for school children and their teachers.
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Epilepsy Toronto understands the challenges young people face when transitioning into adulthood and the new End Trash Talk campaign (endtrashtalk.com) has been a ground-breaking initiative that has opened up the often hidden world of young people living with epilepsy. Epilepsy Toronto also participates in a monthly clinic for young adults who, because of their age, are transitioning from Sick Kids Hospital to Toronto Western Hospital, two hospitals who serve the epilepsy community and with whom we have a strong relationship.
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If you would like more information on our Children and Youth Services or would like to arrange for a meeting,
please contact Jodi Maruncic, Director, Children and Youth Services at jodi@epilepsytoronto.org
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