Preventive social work intervention with families of children with epilepsy

The need for preventive social work intervention with families of children with epilepsy is discussed. Issues in such counseling are identified as (a) exploring fantasies and fears about epilepsy, (b) interpreting facts about this disorder, (c) assisting parents in establishing realistic behavioral expectations and limits for the child, and (d) enabling parents to disclose information about the child's condition in such a way as to be beneficial to the child. This paper addresses itself to the needs of normal families with adjustment problems in coping with the child's epilepsy.