[Vocational preparation and education of adolescent patients with epilepsy].

Often young epileptics cannot begin a regular apprenticeship immediately after leaving school. Many cases show some somatic and psychointellectual retardation and delayed social development and maturation. Impairment of learning and concentration due to drug-side effects aggravates gaps in basic knowledge which result from frequent school absences due to epileptic illness. Attendance of a vocational training scheme for one year ensures that educational and social deficiencies can be reduced and the practice of daily work can be obtained. The epileptologist should pay particular attention to good compliance. The large variety of psycho-social and behavioural problems can be improved by event-orientated group psychotherapy. A vocational testing period can follow. Time and type of seizures have to be respected in vocational counselling. The vocational training centre for handicapped adolescents offers a comprehensive education by vocational instructors, epileptologists and psychologists.