Children with epilepsy and their families: needs and services

Social factors play a major role in determining the impact of epilepsy on families. This paper reviews the literature on the needs of families and their social networks, and services proposed for them. The predominantly negative picture presented in the 'expert' literature is compared with the more positive one presented in first-hand studies of families' views and in the literature on children with other disabilities. The implications of these differing perspectives for service provision are discussed.