Below, please find informaton on the following services:
Psychosocial Support
Teens and their families may require additional support outside of clinic. Our psychosocial support services include:
- Educating and helping prepare teen patients and their families for transition planning.
- Providing community outreach education programs.
- Assisting in identifying and obtaining resources such as special education programs, respite centers, home health aides, medical insurance benefits, vocational rehabilitation centers, and referrals to psychologists and other mental health workers
- Helping teens with epilepsy overcome barriers to appropriate services by referring them to advocacy groups
- Facilitate support groups for teens and their families
Psychiatry Services
Teens with epilepsy are especially vulnerable to mental health challenges. Our psychiatric services include:
- An initial evaluation to identify psychiatric/neurodevelopmental co-morbidities and cognitive impairments in teens with epilepsy. Based on this initial assessment, our psychiatrist will make referrals for further neuropsychological testing, speech and language pathology and/or occupational therapy.
- A detailed assessment of the teen’s academic functioning to determine the need for further educational support.
- Medication management along with short term supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy with referrals for ongoing mental health treatment.
Nutrition
Teens with epilepsy can benefit from individualized nutrition counseling. Even small dietary changes can promote overall health and may help manage seizures. Our nutritional services include:
- Complete nutrition assessment to determine appropriate diet/nutrition interventions based on each teen’s goals and needs.
- Nutrition education for teens and caregivers to implement sustainable dietary changes.
- Monitor progress, adjust the nutrition plan as needed, and address any other diet/nutrition-related concerns.
- For people with epilepsy whose seizures do not respond to traditional seizure medications, the high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet therapies provide additional methods to improve seizure control.
Occupational Therapy
The occupational therapist will focus on addressing:
- Transition into adulthood
- Empowering teens to take a leadership role in managing their care
- Assistance with pursuing work and education goals
- Identifying strategies for managing day to day tasks
To schedule an appointment, call 310-825-6196 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
