Children can also present with a group of symptoms which do not include a headache at all. Instead, symptoms such as stomachache, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting may be the major part of a child’s attack, making migraine harder to recognise in children. This is known as Abdominal Migraine and typically, it evolves in more typical migraine after puberty. The abdominal pain can be dull, sore or intense and is usually located around the middle of the abdomen around the navel. Sometimes, vertigo and head-tilt can be part of a childhood migraine attack. Investigation is frequently required to rule out other causes of migraine-like symptoms in children.

Keeping a headache diary accurately records the frequency, severity and duration of attacks and can help to identify triggers which may help to prevent future migraine attacks. It also monitors the effectiveness of treatments.

The MAI provides migraine diaries for both adults and children. If the symptoms are noticed early a child can often sleep off the pain of migraine. Non-pharmacological management techniques include relaxation exercises, stress management, biofeedback and behavioural therapies. These therapies can greatly reduce the frequency of attacks.

If your child is about to have an attack, a mild pain-killing drug such as paracetamol should be given (in soluble form as this is more quickly absorbed). Aspirin should be avoided due to its association with a rare condition called Reye’s Disease.

Nausea or vomiting can be countered with an anti-nausea drug, which can be purchased over the counter and should be taken about 15 minutes before the painkiller. Preventative medical therapy is rarely recommended for children.

It is generally preferable for a child to miss a few days of school per term due to migraine, rather than give preventative medication. Regular preventative therapy may only be justified (over a short two-three month period) if the migraine attack frequency is distressing.

Following advice from a GP on the positive and negative aspects of treatment options, parents can decide on the best management solutions for their child. Contact us for information leaflets for parents and teachers: 01-894 1280/ 1850-200-378.

The school principal, class teacher and/or school nurse should be informed of a child’s susceptibility to migraine.This will ensure that proper action is taken in the event of an attack i.e. that a child is allowed to lie down in a darkened room and take mild soluble pain killing drugs if necessary.

It will also minimize disruption to a child’s school routine. Most schools co-operate very well with whatever treatment has been suggested to parents. Teachers/nurses may prefer to ‘hold’ younger children’s medication and give it on request.

It may be appropriate for older children to carry their own medication and take an emergency supply of appropriate tablets when necessary. Every effort should be made to retain a normal routine and, where possible, avoid having to send the child home from school.

The MAI provides information leaflets for parents, teachers and students.

The School can apply on behalf of the candidate using the form issued by the SEC to request a special centre within the school for the candidate to sit the examination on their own. The school must have a letter from the student’s GP/consultant before approaching the State Examinations Commission.

The school must apply in advance. The closing date for the 2019 examinations have not yet been announced. Decisions are made on a case by case basis.

If granted a special centre, it does not automatically mean that the candidate will be sitting in an examination centre on their own. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for school authorities to assign a small number of candidates (also being accommodated under the Reasonable Accommodations Scheme) to one special centre under the control of one superintendent.

A candidate may apply to have a tape recorder to record answers if they are unable to write.

In the event that a candidate cannot sit the examination at the scheduled time the candidate can sit later on that date provided they are supervised by a member of the School Authority, have had no contact with other candidates or anyone who may have had sight of the question paper, or knowledge of its contents.  Any change to the scheduled start of an examination must have prior approval from the State Examinations Commission. Candidates may not, however, take an examination on a later date under any circumstances.

Should the student be alright on the day and have no need to avail of the special centre the Reasonable Accommodations Office should be notified.  This can be done on the day and an email will suffice.

Contact details for the Reasonable Accommodations Office:

Email: race@examinations.ie
Phone: 090 644 2782
Fax: 090 644 2744