The Music Student with Epilepsy

Abstract

The teacher–student relationship can afford the music educator an opportunity to be the first to identify behaviors associated with epilepsy. A case of a student with epilepsy, based on the authors’ experience, is described in which the music educators were the first and only individuals to become aware of a change in the student’s behavior, after which diagnosis of his condition and direction toward resources for proper treatment could be offered. Included are a review of the current literature about epilepsy as related to music and some helpful resources for parents and teachers. Finally, specific recommendations are given for teaching strategies to optimize the educational experience of the music student with epilepsy.