< Arkansas Children's Blog

Take Action: What to do When Your Child Starts Having a Seizure

Published date: July 13, 2018

Although it is terrifying for a parent, most seizures do end after 1 to 2 minutes without harm. You do not usually have to do anything if your child has brief periods of staring or shaking; however, seizure first aid should be used with shaking or jerking lasting longer than a few seconds.

Nine Steps to Take When Your Child Starts Having a Seizure

  1. Stay calm
  2. Call 911, especially if this is the first time anything like this has happened
  3. Lay him/her on the floor on his/her side to keep his/her airway open
  4. Clear the area around him/her of anything that might cause injury
  5. Do not try to hold him/her down or stop his/her movements
  6. Loosen any tight clothing, especially anything around his/her neck
  7. Do not put anything in his/her mouth – he/she will not swallow his/her tongue
  8. Time the seizure
  9. Take the child to the emergency room if the episode lasts than 2 minutes

Take the child to the emergency room if the episode lasts longer than 5 minutes. A Neurologist will be able to diagnose and recommend a treatment plan.

1 in 6 children suffers from some kind of neurological disorder. The Neuroscience Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital has a team of more than 200 health care professionals who work together to provide comprehensive neurological care to children all over the country.