Find us in the waiting room?
We’ve got you covered.
What does an epilepsy diagnosis mean for you and your family?
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that impacts our neurons ability to deliver important messages to the body. Epilepsy can occur at any age and impacts the entire family. This journey looks different for everyone but with the right support and information the way forward can be easier.
Looking for support as your family navigates the epilepsy journey?
Epilepsy Ottawa offers family support services, community connections, and programs designed to help you feel informed, supported, and less alone. Whether you want to participate in a program or just have a question we are here.
Struggling and need someone to talk to?
Our UPLIFT program and Parent Support Group gives parents the opportunity to connect with other parents who share similar circumstances, learn how to manage stress and ask questions.
UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favorable Thoughts) is a mindfulness-based cognitive behaviour therapy program aimed at improving depression, anxiety, and overall psychological quality of life. You can get on the waitlist by clicking the link here.
Our Parent Support Group runs on the first Wednesday of every month and a great chance to connect with other parents and ask questions in a judgement free and relaxed environment. See when our next one is by heading to our Event Page.
Looking for epilepsy education for your family and loved ones?
Clinic to Community is a one on one, personalized education session with an epilepsy educator. Whether you're new to your journey or have had it for many years, there is always room to learn something new about epilepsy. This presentation offers information on the types of seizures, seizure first aid and how epilepsy can impact day to day life. You can book a meeting with Sandi at the link here!
Is your child’s school or daycare prepared to respond to a seizure?
Seizure Smart is a set of in person and online presentations based on the needs of your child's school! Whether your teacher needs more information or your child's classroom wants a fun and interactive presentation to reduce stigma, we’ve got you covered! Request a presentation at the link here!
Client Services
We provide information, resources, and community referrals to people with epilepsy and their families.
Clinic to Community (Clinique à Communauté)
Epilepsy Ottawa offers Clinic to Community to teens with epilepsy and families of those with epilepsy. Whether you’re dealing with a new epilepsy diagnosis, or you feel that your family could use more information about living well with epilepsy, reducing the risks associated with seizures, identifying when a seizure is a medical emergency, or school support, we’d be happy to meet with you.
Epilepsy Connect Ottawa
Epilepsy Connect Ottawa is a one-on-one peer mentor program for parents whose children (young or grown) have epilepsy.
UPLIFT
A mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for people with depression or anxiety who are parents or guardians of those with epilepsy.
Parent Support Group
Parents and caregivers of young or grown children with epilepsy meet once a month to provide support to one another and discuss the various topics and/or challenges of life from a caregiver’s perspective.
Helping Hands
A social group for children and teens with epilepsy. This group meetings 2-3 times a year. See our events calendar for upcoming meetings or email Sandi to get notifications when new meetings are scheduled.
Sibling Support Group
Support group for siblings of children and teens with epilepsy. This group meetings 2-3 times a year. See our events calendar for upcoming meetings or email Sandi to get notifications when new meetings are scheduled.
Community Events
We have a variety of family community events a few times a year, including craft workshops, baking, games nights, and pizza parties. See our events calendar for upcoming meetings or email Sandi to get notifications when new community events are scheduled.
School Support Services
Epilepsy Ottawa provides a variety of services to support children and teens with epilepsy at school, including assistance with accommodation, safety plans, Seizure Smart presentations, and other resources.
Seizure Smart (Les Présentations)
We offer a variety of Seizure Smart presentations for schools, workplaces, and other community groups (including Girl Guides, Scouts, recreational groups) that want to learn more about epilepsy and how to help someone having a seizure. Each presentation includes general epilepsy and seizure first aid information and can be adapted to address a particular situation or person with epilepsy (with that person’s approval).
Seizure First Aid Videos
Find out how to identify three common types of seizures and how to respond when you see someone having one of these seizures.
Spark Sheets (Documents d'Étincelle)
Check out our epilepsy information series: Spark. Each Spark sheet provides information, tips, and strategies on a different topic.