Most parents would agree that raising a teenager isn’t easy. But if your teen has a chronic condition like epilepsy, you may be facing additional challenges.

Parenting is about equipping your teen with the skills they’ll need to live as a successful adult. As your teen matures, they’ll need to master key life skills to manage their condition in the real world. Not only is this a gift to them but empowering your teen can also give you peace of mind as they start to branch out on their own.

We’ll cover how to support your teen as they build the confidence to live well with epilepsy.

Preparing Your Teen for the Future

Whether it’s driving, taking trips with friends, or trying new things, your teen will likely be reaching for independence in some way. Here are some common considerations when it comes to preparing them for adulthood.

Driving With Epilepsy

Driving laws vary by state. The most common requirement for people with epilepsy is that they be seizure-free for a specific period of time and submit a report from their doctor confirming their ability to drive safely.

If your teen or young adult spends more time away from home, it’s important to set up systems to monitor their safety without being overly invasive of their privacy. For example, they might let you know when they’re leaving and when they’ve arrived following a long drive.

Involving your teen in decision-making processes will help them feel like they have a say and are being respected.

Making Good Choices and Managing Peer Pressure

Parents of teens with epilepsy may be particularly anxious about navigating issues like substance abuse and peer pressure.

Teens with epilepsy need to understand that experimenting with alcohol and drugs can be even riskier because of their condition. Their doctor may be able to help explain why seizure medication and alcohol shouldn’t mix and what to do if they do ingest alcohol.

Teens also need strategies to handle challenging situations and peer pressure. Knowing where to find support and how to find friends who are positive influences can help set them up for success. Remind your teen that having a small group of trusted friends is more important than being popular.

Managing Their Own Care

Teens mature at different rates. You can start encouraging your teen to practice healthcare-related tasks early on like:

• Asking questions during medical appointments
• Calling their doctor’s office to report any seizures
• Keeping a log of seizures
• Making a list of their medications and taking it to appointments
• Tracking how well they’re following their care plan and taking medications

Your teen can also work with their doctor to develop a seizure action plan together. Participating in these activities can help your teen feel more confident and in control of their condition.

Using Tools That Promote Independence

You can encourage your teen to get a medical ID, such as a bracelet, to alert others of their epilepsy and how to help in the event of a seizure. Wearing an ID may help them feel more comfortable traveling to unfamiliar places or being around people who don’t know about their condition.

If your teen is responsible enough, they could also consider getting a service dog. A service dog can help them feel more secure and confident when eventually living or traveling alone by providing seizure alerts, response assistance, and emotional support.

Having Important Conversations

Part of transitioning from childhood to adulthood is understanding and preparing for risks in life. One risk young people with epilepsy should know about is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

SUDEP is a term used when someone with epilepsy dies without warning and there is no apparent cause of death. While rare, SUDEP is more common in people with frequent or uncontrolled seizures. The best way to prevent SUDEP is to prevent seizures.

Talking about this risk with your teen can be uncomfortable. But it’s important to ensure they understand what SUDEP is and how to avoid it.

Work with your teen so they understand that responsible epilepsy self-management includes:

• Taking anti-seizure drugs and other therapies as prescribed
• Making healthy lifestyle choices
• Identifying seizure triggers
• Scheduling regular medical appointments

Help With Communication

How you frame these conversations matters. You don’t want to make your teen anxious or depressed about their situation. Instead, you want to motivate them to make good decisions.

If you’re not sure how to approach certain topics, ask a social worker or family counselor for help.

Transitioning From Pediatric to Adult Care

Your teen’s doctor can be a great support and resource during the transition process from pediatric care to young adulthood and a new primary care team.

Ask for recommendations and referrals for adult epilepsy care, including an adult neurologist and any other adult services that may be needed.

Consider Telemedicine

Telehealth services can help young people stay connected to their epilepsy providers and continue to get their healthcare needs met after a move for school or work. According to the American Epilepsy Society, telehealth can increase access to care and quality of care for people with epilepsy.

Your teen may consider a hybrid approach, where they use telehealth to stay connected to their current epilepsy care team and find a primary care provider they can see in person closer to their new home.

Let Your Teen Take the Lead

If your young adult plans to relocate for college or a job, have them help with researching new adult providers in their area and scheduling appointments.

You can also encourage your teen to schedule an appointment with a social worker or an insurance agent who can help them understand their coverage options when aging out of their parent’s plan.

They could also connect with groups for epilepsy (either in person or online) to establish a supportive network during this transition of care.

The more ownership you can give your child throughout the process of securing healthcare, the better equipped they’ll be to take control of their condition management in the future.

Learning When To Step Aside

Perhaps the hardest aspect of parenting is letting go and giving your kid a chance to sink or swim. It may be tough to step aside, but never allowing your child to fail does them a disservice by robbing them of important opportunities to learn and grow.

In addition, being too restrictive can backfire and build resentment. “When I was younger and living with an overprotective parent, it made me fight harder for independence,” shared a MyEpilepsyTeam member.

It can be difficult to strike the right balance, but try to turn any mishaps into learning experiences.

Tips From MyEpilepsyTeam Members

Some members of MyEpilepsyTeam had childhood seizures and recalled their parents’ positive influence.

One member encouraged parents to empower their children: “Give them confidence, strength, and independence. That is what my mother did for me. I started getting complex partial seizures when I was 12. Now I am 52. I worked. I didn’t let epilepsy take over my life. Don’t let your child give up in life.”

Another said, “As a child who had epilepsy, the most important thing to me, at that time, was to know that I was loved for who I am. My parents always encouraged me to look on the bright side despite the seizures and reinforced that everything was going to be OK!”

Remind your teenager that epilepsy is only one part of who they are. It doesn’t define them. They may need to take certain precautions. But they can still enjoy a full and productive life.

Join the Conversation

On MyEpilepsyTeam, people share their experiences with epilepsy, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What tips can you share about preparing teenagers for adulthood? Let others know in the comments below.