Specialties & ConditionsEpilepsy Program Support Services
Epilepsy Support Services
The Epilepsy Center at Lurie Children’s offers one of the most comprehensive and multidimensional care programs in the country. Part of what makes our care so unique is the amount of support services offered to patient families.
Educational Services
Lurie Children's Epilepsy Center provides free educational services to all families within the division. The educational services consist of working with the education liaison for support with navigating school questions and/or concerns.
Why Educational Services?
Every child has a legal right to an education, including children with a medical condition and/or a disability. It is also important that every child be provided with access to meaningfully participate in their school communities to foster their cognitive and social development. Children with a medical condition and/or a disability may require special services to ensure their success at school. Sometimes families need support with understanding what services are available and how to obtain them. A Lurie Children’s education liaison can offer this support to families.
Services
The education liaison can support families by providing consultation, coordination, psychoeducation, advocacy, and referral services related to your child’s educational needs. These services may include:
- Assistance with understanding your child’s learning needs
- Education regarding your child’s educational rights and your rights as a parent/guardian
- Review of school documents including IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, etc.
- An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a legal document developed and implemented to meet a child’s unique educational needs. The school multidisciplinary team, with input from parents/guardians, creates learning goals and accommodations that address a child’s educational, social, emotional, and medical needs.
- A 504 is a written plan that provides accommodations for a child with specific needs. Accommodations may include adjustments in a child’s educational program or address a specific condition.
- Attendance at school meetings
- Consultation and support for identifying and enrolling in an appropriate school program, obtaining special education services, and navigating school transitions
- Collaboration and coordination with your child’s multidisciplinary team within the Pediatric Epilepsy Center
- Referral to Lurie Children’s social work department, Legal Council, or other outside services as appropriate
Resources
Social Work Services
Our social workers are valuable members of our epilepsy treatment team who have expertise in providing emotional support to patients and their families. They serve as an important liaison between the family and medical team. They help families adjust to their child’s illness, medical recommendations and emotions related to diagnosis. They provide crisis intervention and assess for safety issues concerning abuse and neglect. In addition, our social workers assist families in identifying resources such as special education programs, community counseling services, outreach programs, respite centers, home health aides, and referrals to various support programs that help meet basic needs.
Pediatric Epilepsy Specialists
Lurie Children’s Epilepsy Center’s multidisciplinary team includes pediatric epileptologists, advanced practice registered nurses, medical education specialist, neurosurgeons, research doctors, research professionals, neuropsychologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, genetic counselors, dietitians and social workers.
Arely Cerda, MSW, LSW
Social Worker
Specialty Programs: Spanish Clinic for Epilepsy Patients
Megan Keeler, LSW, MPH
Social Worker
Support Staff
When you contact the Epilepsy Center, you will speak with one of the following team members who will guide you through next steps. All members of our support staff speak both English and Spanish.
Clara Samaniego
Administrative Supervisor
Luciano Pedroza
Senior Administrative Assistant
Cristina Velez
Financial Clearance Coordinator
Sonia Esparza
Administrative Assistant
Maya Delcid
Administrative Assistant
Jacqueline Hernandez
Clinical Coordinator