IS SEIZURE DISORDER A DISABILITY IN AUSTRALIA?

Updated on July 22, 2024

What Are the Types of Seizure Disorders?

Seizure disorders involve various types of seizures and here are the main types:

1. Grand Mal Seizures (Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures): These involve a loss of consciousness with muscle stiffness (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking movements (clonic phase). They can last 1-3 minutes and often lead to confusion and fatigue afterward.

2.  Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A type of focal epilepsy where seizures start in the temporal lobes. It can cause complex partial seizures with altered awareness and automatisms like lip-smacking. Auras may also occur before seizures.

3. Infantile Spasms: These occur in infants and are marked by sudden, brief jerking movements of the body or limbs. They can impact development and are often associated with West Syndrome.

4.  Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES): Seizures that mimic epileptic seizures but are caused by psychological factors rather than abnormal brain activity. They lack changes in EEG and are treated with psychological therapies.

5.  Clonic Seizures: Characterized by rhythmic, repetitive muscle contractions. These seizures are relatively rare but involve repeated jerking movements.

6.  Myoclonic Epilepsy: Involves brief, sudden muscle jerks. It’s often seen in conditions like Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy.

7.  Gelastic Seizures: Rare focal seizures causing sudden, inappropriate laughter or giggling, often due to hypothalamic hamartomas.

8.  Atonic Seizures: Also known as drop attacks, they involve a sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the person to collapse or fall.

9. Focal Seizures: They begin in one part of the brain. They can be either focal aware seizures (with retained consciousness) or focal impaired awareness seizures (with altered consciousness).

10.  Absence Seizures: Brief episodes of staring or daydreaming, typically lasting a few seconds, common in children.

What Are the Major Causes of Seizures?

Seizures can occur due to a variety of underlying causes.

Common causes include:

• Brain Tumors and Aneurysms: Abnormal growths or blood vessel malformations in the brain can trigger seizures.
• Head Injuries: Severe concussions or traumatic brain injuries can lead to seizure activity.
• Infections and Inflammation: Conditions like encephalitis or meningitis, caused by viruses or bacteria, can result in seizures. Autoimmune disorders that cause brain inflammation may also be a factor.
• Metabolic Imbalances: Imbalances in electrolytes, such as low sodium (hyponatremia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), can provoke seizures.

• Drug and Alcohol Use: Both intoxication and withdrawal from substances like alcohol, recreational drugs, or prescription medications can trigger seizures.
• Genetic Disorders: Certain inherited conditions increase the risk of developing seizures or epilepsy.
• Fevers and Eclampsia: High fevers, particularly in children, and eclampsia during pregnancy can lead to seizure episodes.
• Hormonal Changes: Conditions like catamenial epilepsy cause seizures in relation to menstrual cycles.

Symptoms of Seizure Disorder

Seizure disorders manifest through different symptoms, which can vary depending on the type and severity of the seizures.

Common symptoms include:

• Loss of Consciousness: Many seizures, such as generalized tonic-clonic seizures, cause a temporary loss of consciousness. Individuals may collapse and become unresponsive during the episode.
• Muscle Stiffening and Jerking Movements: Generalized tonic-clonic seizures involve initial muscle stiffness (tonic phase) followed by rhythmic jerking movements (clonic phase).
• Staring Spells: Absence seizures often cause brief periods of staring, where the person seems to be daydreaming and unresponsive to external stimuli.
• Involuntary Movements: Focal seizures may involve unusual, repetitive movements like hand rubbing, lip-smacking, or facial twitching.
• Sensory Disturbances: Some seizures cause abnormal sensations such as strange smells, tastes, or feelings of déjà vu.

Other symptoms can include sudden falls, unusual emotional responses, excess saliva coming from the mouth, increased heart rate or changes in perception. 

Is Seizure considered a disability in Australia?

In Australia, the definition of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) is broad and inclusive.

The Act protects individuals from discrimination based on various types of disabilities, including physical, intellectual, mental, sensory, and neurological disabilities.

This legislation provides a framework for assessing whether conditions like seizure disorders can be classified as disabilities.

The DDA defines disability as “any condition, impairment, or disorder that has lasted or is likely to last for at least six months and restricts a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.”

This definition includes several categories:

• Neurological Disability: Seizure disorders fall under neurological disabilities as they impact the brain and central nervous system.
• Mental Illness: If seizures lead to psychological impacts like anxiety or depression, this can also be considered mental illness.

Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy can meet the DDA criteria if they substantially limit an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks.

For example, frequent seizures can disrupt personal, professional, and social activities, fulfilling the requirement of a condition that affects day-to-day life.

Severe seizure disorders can qualify as disabilities based on their impact on an individual’s life. For instance, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding for various supports for those with disabilities. If a seizure disorder significantly affects daily functioning, NDIS might fund:

• Training for Support Workers: To assist with following an Epilepsy Management Plan (EMP) or Emergency Medication Management Plan (EMMP).
• Monitoring Services: Support workers or nurses to monitor seizures, especially for complex cases.
• Assistive Technology: Devices such as alarms or seizure monitors to enhance safety.
• Support Coordination: To connect individuals with appropriate services and resources.

Epilepsy Action offers resources to help manage seizure disorders, including needs assessment, seizure management planning, and training for family and support workers.

However, formal assessments for assistive technology must be conducted by an Occupational Therapist or other qualified professionals. In summary, while seizure disorders are not explicitly listed as disabilities under the DDA, they can qualify as such based on their severity and impact on daily life. The legal framework and NDIS support mechanisms provide avenues for obtaining necessary assistance and resources for those affected.

The likelihood of achieving seizure control or remission varies depending on the specific cause and individual circumstances.

Conclusion

Seizure disorders, though not outrightly specified as a disability, can be classified as disabilities in Australia under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 if they significantly affect an individual’s daily activities.

While there is no definitive cure, effective management through medication, lifestyle adjustments, and support services can help control seizures and improve quality of life.

Understanding and utilizing available resources, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme, is essential for those affected by severe seizure disorders.

Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?

At Centre Disability Support, we offer tailored support services for individuals with disabilities throughout Australia. We offer housing options in Logan, Ipswich and Brisbane areas, where we provide independent supported living or assist individuals in finding suitable options for individualised living.

Additionally, we provide day-to-day support for individuals with mental health issues, complex behaviour and other types of disabilities. We also have support coordinators available to assist with planning, navigating NDIS plans, and offering casework support. 

Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, or a loved one, or simply wish to learn more about our services, we’re here to help.

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