Seizure Management in Schools and Disability Services: How to Respond Safely

Whether you work in a school, childcare centre, or disability support setting, it’s likely you’ll care for a student or client who lives with epilepsy or a seizure disorder. While seizures can be confronting, with the right training and preparation, your team can respond calmly, safely, and confidently.

In this blog, we’ll break down what seizures are, what to do during an event, when to call an ambulance, and how AB First Aid helps schools and disability services train for real-life seizure response.

What Is a Seizure?

A seizure occurs when there’s a sudden burst of electrical activity in the brain. This can cause a range of symptoms, depending on the type and severity of the seizure.

Seizures may be triggered by:

Epilepsy
Fever (in children, known as febrile seizures)
Head injuries
Low blood sugar
Sensory overstimulation
Withdrawal or other medical conditions

In disability settings, seizure conditions are more common among clients with neurological diagnoses or developmental delays — making training and preparation especially important.

Types of Seizures You Might Encounter

Educators and support workers need to be familiar with common types of seizures, including:

1. Generalised (Tonic-Clonic) Seizure

Loss of consciousness
Full-body shaking or convulsing
Possible incontinence
May last 1–3 minutes

2. Absence Seizure

Blank staring
No response
May be mistaken for daydreaming
Lasts a few seconds

3. Focal Seizure

Twitching or jerking in one part of the body
Confusion or disorientation
May remain conscious

4. Febrile Seizure (in young children)

Triggered by high fever
Often brief, with full recovery
Can be distressing to witness

What to Do During a Seizure

Every team member should know the basic seizure first aid response:

DO:

Stay calm
Time the seizure
Gently roll the person onto their side after shaking stops (if safe to do so)
Cushion their head and protect from injury
Remove any nearby hazards (furniture, sharp objects)
Stay with the person and reassure them as they regain awareness
Follow their individual Seizure Action Plan (if provided)

DON’T:

Restrain the person
Put anything in their mouth
Leave them unattended
Offer food, drink or medication during the seizure

When to Call an Ambulance (continued)

Call 000 immediately if:

The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
It’s their first seizure or diagnosis is unknown
Another seizure begins soon after the first
The person has difficulty breathing or doesn’t regain consciousness
The person is injured during the seizure
It occurs in water
You’re unsure and feel medical support is needed

The Role of Individual Seizure Management Plans

For students or clients with a known seizure disorder, you should have a Seizure Management Plan or Emergency Medical Plan in place. These documents outline:

The person’s typical seizure presentation
Medication needs (if any)
When to escalate
Emergency contacts
Preferred recovery strategies

These plans must be:

Developed with medical input
Updated annually
Accessible to all relevant staff
Briefed to relief staff and support workers

In schools, plans often sit alongside ASCIA action plans and Asthma plans in the first aid folder or electronic health record system.

Common Gaps We See in Schools and Services

Here’s what we’ve seen at schools and disability services across Victoria:

Staff haven’t had recent seizure-specific training
Relief staff or new team members aren’t briefed on medical plans
No one is confident to time the seizure or use basic recovery techniques
Seizure plans are outdated or unclear
Emergency medication procedures (e.g. Midazolam) are misunderstood or avoided

Why Hands-On Training Is Critical

Seizure management isn’t something you want to learn from a slideshow.

At AB First Aid, we include:

Scenario-based training (e.g. tonic-clonic seizure on school grounds)
Guidance on how to respond as a team
Use of timers, positioning, and recovery practice
What to say to students, clients, or other staff during and after an incident
Policy review support to make sure your plans are up to date and compliant

For teams working with students or clients with epilepsy, neurological conditions, or high medical needs, we also offer customised sessions on medical emergencies and complex health responses.