Childhood epilepsy and Social Security disability benefits
How does Social Security look at children’s disability cases based on epilepsy or other seizure disorders?
Social Security first considers the Listing of Impairments. The Listings are a set of descriptions of medical conditions which can be disabling. The Listings tell you the what kind medical evidence you need and the medical findings to prove that the condition is disabling. While the Listings are not the only way to be found disabled, they are very important in children’s disability cases.
For seizure disorders, there are two critical Listings.
111.02 Major motor seizure disorder
111.03 Nonconvulsive epilepsy
What to do for a person having a seizure (video)
One of my favorite shows on the web, GeekBrief.tv, now GeekBrief with Cali Lewis, interviewed actor Greg Grunberg (Matt Parkman on “Heroes”). Greg’s son, Jake, has epilepsy and Greg talks about what to do for someone during a seizure and what not to do (don’t put something into the person’s mouth!).
It’s a great video! Greg talks about seizures starting at 3:50.
How to help someone during a seizure?
If you have a family member, or a friend, with epilepsy or another seizure disorder, it can be scary and you may not know what to do when a seizure happens.
Scott Mehle, executive director of Tallahassee’s Epilepsy Association of the Big Bend, recently discussed this:
“They should just know what to do and not do when someone happens to have a seizure in public. Keeping the seizing person safe from injury is primary. Don’t restrain them. Don’t insert anything into their mouths . . . just gently turn them on their sides. Remove furniture or objects that are sharp or hard and cushion their heads,” he …
