Helping Families Deal with Epilepsy
When a child is diagnosed with an illness, it affects every member of his family. That’s why the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Epilepsy Center offers support groups for both parents and children who are dealing with epilepsy.
Our first-ever Children's Epilepsy Camp was held during the summer of 2010 at Camp Twin Lakes-Will-A-Way in Winder, Ga. Learn more about this camp.
Parent Support Group
The group provides participants with information, education, resource sharing opportunities, emotional support and a chance to talk with other parents. This group is facilitated by Kathy Braden, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Jennifer Ganote, Nurse Clinical Coordinator, both from the Children’s Epilepsy Center. Braden has experience working with families who have a loved one diagnosed with a chronic, disabling or life-threatening medical condition. Ganote has an extensive background in neurosciences and epilepsy and is available to assist in understanding the medical aspects of care.
Children's Support Groups
The children’s groups are for ages 7 (mature 1st graders) through teenagers who are able to attend a peer discussion group independent of parents for an hour and a half.
The Children’s seizure support group is geared toward children learning to cope with their diagnosis in a social support format. The group offers a safe place for children to be open about issues, learn more about their diagnosis, discuss real life experiences, and most importantly, have fun and meet others. Siblings are also invited to attend the meeting.
Occasionally the two support groups will be divided based on age demographics to address specific issues for that age group. The Children’s support groups are facilitated by Neuropsychology Department residents and psychologists, and by Kate Bellamy, Child Life Specialist for our neurology inpatient unit. All Children’s support group facilitators are experienced in working with special needs families and children with chronic medical or neurological issues.