Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Encephalitis Society

Support line: +44 (0)1653 699599

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Need help?
  • Join Us!
  • Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Encephalitis explained
    • What is encephalitis?
    • Diagnosis of encephalitis
    • Types of encephalitis
      • Infectious encephalitis
      • Auto-immune encephalitis
      • Other
    • Being in hospital
    • Coronavirus and encephalitis
    • Effects
      • How the brain works
      • After-effects of encephalitis
      • Death from encephalitis
      • Effects on learning and school life
    • Recovering from encephalitis
      • Guidelines for recovery
      • Practical strategies
      • Rehabilitation after encephalitis
      • Professionals involved in recovery
      • Neuropsychological assessment
    • Infectious encephalitis and travel
  • Get Help
    • Get support (now)
    • Get information
      • Encephalitis in adults
      • Encephalitis in children
      • Encephalitis in young people
      • Information for carers & family
      • Dealing with bereavement
      • Information for teachers
      • Information for health professionals
      • Helpful books
    • Legal advice
    • Meet other people affected
    • Events and activities
  • Stories and News
    • Our campaigns
      • Research month
      • Encephalitis Information Week
      • Measles FAQ
      • BBC Radio 4 appeal
      • Hollyoaks
      • Encephalitis Matters petition
    • Our projects around the world
    • Our blog
    • Your stories
    • Our Podcasts
    • My brain and me
    • Newsletters
  • Encephalitis research
    • Global Impact Report
    • Events for professionals
      • Encephalitis Conference
      • Masterclass webinars
      • External events
    • Grants
    • Latest research on encephalitis
      • Research Summary
    • Research currently recruiting
    • Professional membership
    • Professional Newsletter
    • Training and consultancy
  • Support Us
    • Fundraise for us
      • Fundraising events
      • Do your own thing
      • Fundraising Blog
    • Donate now
    • Ways to give
      • Give in memory
      • Leave a legacy
      • Gift Aid
      • Unity Lottery
      • Trusts and foundations
      • Other ways to give
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Our Partners
    • Corporate engagement
    • Changemakers
  • Shop
  • About us
    • Our vision
    • Our team
      • Our Ambassadors
      • Our President / VPs
      • Our Scientific Advisory Panel
      • Our Trustees
      • Our Staff
    • Our previous events
    • Our impact
    • Our accounts
    • Our policies
    • Current vacancies
    • Media Centre
  • World Encephalitis Day
  • 01653692583
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Encephalitis explained
  2. Effects

Effects on learning and school life

The acquired brain injury (ABI) resulted from encephalitis may have a significant impact on a child’s learning and school life, with the child no longer performing and behaving as before the illness.


The child may experience:

  •  tiredness (cognitive fatigue rather than physical fatigue)
  • problems with concentration especially in a noisy classroom
  • difficulty working at speed
  • difficulty following instructions
  • difficulty changing tasks
  • difficulty refocusing on a new issue
  • poor memory
  • sensitivity to sound
  • difficulty remembering places and directions
  • seizures
  • inappropriate behaviour
  • lack of insight into their difficulties
  • not being able to get ready for specific activities
  • making misjudgements
  • difficulty changing routines
  • not understanding jokes
  • forgetting what they were doing
  • physical restlessness
  • disruptiveness
  • appearing to be daydreaming
  • poor social awareness

Difficulties after encephalitis can lead to isolation, as others do not understand the cause of the child’s changed ability and behaviour. The child’s confidence diminishes. They may become anxious and withdrawn or they may exhibit challenging behaviour. If the child had any learning difficulties prior to encephalitis, these may become greater as a result of the illness and the child’s special educational needs may increase.

A child may return to school and continue learning, but not as before. This will be well understood by staff who have known the child before the illness, but over the years to come, the child may move on to be taught where there is no such personal knowledge and understanding. Moving from primary to secondary school is daunting for many children (new environment, new teachers, new colleagues), but for children with ABI this could be very challenging indeed (higher demands, more responsibilities, some of the effects of ABI just starting to become apparent).

Children’s brains develop throughout infancy, childhood and adolescence. Some areas are fully developed and functional at an early age (e.g. the occipital lobes responsible for seeing) whilst other areas (e.g. frontal lobes associated with planning and other executive functions) continue to develop well into adolescence and early adulthood. Damage to fully developed areas of the brain may be immediately apparent through loss or impairment of former skills. The effects of damage to parts of the brain yet to be developed fully may not be apparent for some
time after injury. This explains the emergence of difficulties with behaviour or subtle cognitive skills later in the child’s development, perhaps years later after an injury.

It is important to recognise the impact over time of acquired brain injury and to plan accordingly.

For more information on the effects of encephalitis on learning and school life and what can you do to help, please download a copy of the Encephalitis in children. A guide which has a dedicated section to this matter.

We also have produced a guide for teachers on returning to school after encephalitis. If your child has been left with difficulties after encephalitis make sure their school has a copy of this guidance.

Download a copy of the full guidance Returning to school after encephalitis. Guidance for school staff  or a summary of this guidance Returning to school after encephalitis. Guidance for school staff. A Summary

If you would like a paper copy of any of these books please contact our Support Service on [email protected] or +44(0)1653 699599


If you have found this information helpful, please consider making a donation to help us continue our life-saving work in the future.

Make a Donation

Published: 3rd October, 2017

Updated: 14th July, 2021

Author: Alina Ellerington

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Brain Conference

    Brain Conference

    The Brain Conference showcases the latest updates across a broad range of neuroscientific topics. It is an online event organised by the Guarantors of Brain on 16th March 2023.

  • Proseposters

    Proseposters

  • Unwillable by Jackie Stebbins

    Unwillable by Jackie Stebbins

  • Episodic memory loss following LGI1-limbic encephalitis

Most read

  • NMDAR antibody encephalitis

    NMDAR antibody encephalitis

    NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

  • Herpes Simplex  virus encephalitis

    Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

    Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.

  • What is encephalitis?

    What is encephalitis?

    Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

  • Guidelines for recovery

    Guidelines for recovery

    No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.

  • Limbic encephalitis

    Limbic encephalitis

    The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.

  • West Nile encephalitis

    West Nile encephalitis

    West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.

  • Death from encephalitis

    Death from encephalitis

    Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.

  • Encephalitis: after-effects, recovery and rehabilitation

    Encephalitis: after-effects, recovery and rehabilitation

    This booklet provides key information about the type of issues that people may have after encephalitis, why rehabilitation/support from professionals and families are important and what options for self-help are available.

  • Emotional and behavioural changes

    Emotional and behavioural changes

    Following encephalitis, some people may experience emotional and behavioural changes including low mood, increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, frustration, aggression, impulsivity, disinhibition, and/or poor emotional regulation.

  • Get support

    Get support

    Our Support Service is here to help you with any questions about encephalitis, recovery and rehabilitation or emotional support.

Tag cloud

About Us Anne McIntosh anti-nmdar Brain on Fire Case Studies encephalitis blog Japanese encephalitis limbic membership NeuroAccess Story support Tick-borne encephalitis volunteer

Latest tweet

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Media Centre

Contact us

Encephalitis Society, 32 Castlegate,
Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 7DT
United Kingdom
T: +44(0)1653 692583
E: [email protected] (general enquiries)
E: [email protected] (support enquiries)
Directions

The Encephalitis Society is the operating name of the Encephalitis Support Group which is a registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales No. 04189027. Registered Office as above. Registered Charity No. 1087843. Registered Charity in Scotland: SC048210

Keep up to date with out latest news

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])


We automatically make you a member which is free and supports our work, you can opt out at any time.
Manage Cookie Preferences