In this Section

Creating a Seizure Action Plan

A seizure action plan (SAP) provides important information for others on what they should do to manage a seizure. SAPs are patient-specific, meaning that the information in them is specific to each individual person, and they are especially important for pediatric patients who may experience a seizure around adults who are unfamiliar with what to do during a seizure, when "watching waiting" is appropriate, or when to intervene with at-home rescue medications or when to call 911. 

Did you know? Across the United States, 470,000 children and teens have been diagnosed with epilepsy, yet only 45% of pediatric patients have a seizure action plan.

Having a SAP is important for anyone experiencing seizures, but is especially important for anyone with new-onset epilepsy and anyone who experiences ongoing frequent seizures (more than one seizure in the last year). SAPs can be reassuring for both the patient and their family/caregivers, but they can also provide comfort and confidence to teachers and other school staff, coworkers, babysitters and others. 

 

How to create a seizure action plan (SAP)

Every SAP should be specific to the unique needs of each person, so no SAP will look exactly alike. When creating a SAP, it's important to have several people at the table: the patient (depending on their age), a caregiver or caregivers, and a healthcare provider. While no two SAPs are the same, all SAPs will include several key points of information:

  • The patient’s name
  • Information on the seizure (what a baseline seizure might look like, triggers, how long it might last)
  • Any allergies that are important to note
  • What to do during a seizure to help the patient
  • When to administer rescue medications if prescribed to do so
  • What might trigger the need to call for emergency help

Ready to create your own SAP? Talk with your child's healthcare provider about the best ways to get started, and visit seizureactionplans.org for helpful examples and fillable guides. Or, click on the links below for fillable seizure action plan templates in English and Spanish, provided by Epilepsy Alliance America.