Back to School, Transitioning College Students With Epilepsy to Adult Care: Danielle Andrade, MD, MSc, FRCPC

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"Other challenges we see are with more rare forms of epilepsy that are mainly the domain of child neurologists. The adult neurologist might not be so familiar with these, but the knowledge is getting out there. There are more and more papers and studies about the long-term outcomes of childhood-onset epilepsy, especially genetic epilepsies."

Transitioning from pediatric to adult epilepsy care can involve more than changing providers for patients. The process may include clinicians preparing their patients to manage their condition independently, reinforcing the importance of medication adherence, and addressing lifestyle factors that may influence seizure control. This period often coincides with other life changes, such as starting college or going into the workforce, which can affect patients’ routines. Factors such as reduced sleep, alcohol use, and missed medications may increase the likelihood of seizures, making education on these topics for patients an important component of their care.

Effective transition planning for patients with epilepsy can include coordination between pediatric and adult neurology teams to support their continuity of treatment and access to any necessary specialists. Structured tools, such as readiness questionnaires and epilepsy transition forms, can help identify areas where a patient may need additional support, and also facilitate the transfer of essential medical history. Clear communication between providers can assist in addressing topics such as reproductive health, medication adverse effects, and the management of rare epilepsy syndromes.

To provide an additional clinical perspective on this care process, epilepsy expert Danielle Andrade, MD, MSc, FRCPC, director of the Adult Genetic Epilepsy Program at the University of Toronto, shared her observations on transitioning youth with epilepsy into adult care. In the discussion, Andrade addressed patient education on seizure triggers, the inclusion of reproductive health in care conversations, and the use of transition tools to guide the process. She also discussed some of the logistical and clinical considerations that can arise when supporting individuals with epilepsy during this stage, especially for those attending college.