Does anyone any experience on how children who have had HSV1 encephalitis get on at school?

[Lilster79]

Hi, my daughter who is now 5 and a half and just started school had encephalitis from the HSV1 virus two years ago. She has made a very good recovery especially as she really struggled to remember what things were called after she was initially ill. She appears to be struggling a bit of school and I do not know anyone else who had this type of encephalitis so do not know if it is because of the this. Specifically I am talking about learning letters and their sounds. I would be interested to hear of anyone else’s experiences about how children who have had HSV1 encephalitis get on at school. Thank you.

[Ocean96]

Hi Lilster79,

Great news your daughter is starting school! Although I know things can be a bit different going to school after encephalitis. I think linking in with the school and her teachers is key to a successful return to school

Here is a general information fact sheet on how encephalitis can affect returning to school -

encephalitis.info/effects-o...

This guidebook for teachers is the best thing I could recommend!!

Simply print this off and hand it in to your daughter's school/teacher.

At the end of the guidebook, there is a section for you to fill out helping to explain your daughter's specific difficulties and where she needs the most help!

Hope that helps x

[Ocean96 in reply to Ocean96]

encephalitis.info/Handlers/... forgot to add the guidebook! Here it is x

[Lilster79 in reply to Ocean96]

Thank you, these look like they will be helpful.

[Paula-38]

Hi Lister79,

I had the same diagnosis as your Daughter way back in the 1970's it was just after my first birthday party where I was being passed around from person to person and everyone was hugging and kissing me.

Like your Daughter I don't recall NOTHINGfrom when I was initially ill, but I'm so sorry to hear that your Daughter is experiencing the same or similar to mine with her schooling.

I was able to do mainstream education but was put in special needs because I also had status epilepticus.

I was in the same class as those with severe learning disabilities that I didn't have so I shouldn't have been there really plus,

I was bullied by children with bad behaviour problem that I didn't have. I do hope that your Daughter gets better schooling than I had.

To answer your question, I didn't have any problems with letters or sounds no. I was excellent at English just took a bit longer because I had a slow processing speed so I would finish after everyone else had but otherwise fine.

I hope this helps you.

Please feel free to ask me any questions anytime.