How to Know if Your Child Has a Concussion and What to Do About It

We know, getting a call from your child’s school reporting a head injury is scary business. Or, watching your child collide heads with another child, fall from a play structure, or bonk their head on any number of hard objects in their environment. Severe head injuries can be fairly easy to spot, and we all know they can lead to hospitalization or worse, but did you know that even a more common ‘bump to the head’ should not be overlooked (especially during the first 24-48 hours!)?When your child gets hit in the head, whether it’s during recess, at home, or in the community, it is important to proceed with caution.No one knows your child better than you do! As parents, you are in a critical position to monitor any cognitive, physical and/or behavioral changes in your child and share this information with medical and school staff.Here are answers to some common questions parents like you have asked:

What is a concussion?

• According to Dr. Mick Koester, MD, a pediatric sports medicine specialist in Eugene, it is “a brain injury that results in temporary or in some cases lasting disruption of normal brain function”.

• Symptoms may last from a few days to several months. Some may never go away.”

• Concussions can cause symptoms that interfere with all aspects of your child’s life.

Things you might observe or your child might experience following a concussion:

Signs (observed by you or others)

• Moves clumsily (altered coordination) or balance problems

• Loses consciousness (even briefly)

• Less energetic

• Appears dazed or stunned

• Seems confused

• Responds slowly to questions

• Forgets events prior to hit or fall

• Forgets events after the hit or fall

• Shows changes in mood, behavior, or personality

Symptoms (reported by your child)

• Headache or pressure in head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Double vision, blurry vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Feeling sluggish, fatigued, or groggy

• Balance problems or dizziness

• Numbness or tingling

• Problems concentrating

• Problems remembering

• Foggy or hazy feeling

• Just not feeling right or feeling down

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

• Sleeping less/more than usual

Will my child be ok?

• The majority of children make a complete recovery with no complications.

• However, it’s crucial that a child with a concussion is diagnosed and treated properly.

What is the treatment?

• Rest, Rest, Rest, especially during the first 24-48 hours.

• Avoid all activities that require the brain to work. This includes reading, watching TV, using the computer, and even texting!

• Monitor your child’s concussion symptoms. If they get worse or are not improving, contact the doctor again.

Why is rest so critical?

• Recent research tells us that younger brains are actually more vulnerable to concussion injuries.

• For example, did you know female athletes playing equivalent sports have a 70% higher rate of concussion?

• Research also tells us that concussion symptoms tend to last more than twice as long for children who don’t get sufficient rest immediately following the injury.

My child did not get hit in the head. Can s/he still have a concussion?

• Yes. A concussion is most often caused by a direct blow to the head but can result from body actions that snap the forward and back, like whiplash from a car accident.

• “When in doubt, sit them out”. This is a coaching motto, but in many cases you are your child’s coach!

It didn’t appear that my child got hit that hard. Could they really have sustained a concussion?

• Yes, a fairly light hit can result in a concussion and a hit that is hard or very forceful might not cause any symptoms.

• If you notice a change in your child’s behavior or any other symptoms listed above, lean on the side of caution and seek medical attention for your child.

What if the doctor says my child can return to school but I don’t believe s/he is back to their normal state?

• This is where your intuition comes into play. If your child continues to report headaches, loss of memory or any other concussion related symptoms, follow your gut and keep them home.

• Report all head injuries to your child’s school nurse, especially if s/he continues to have any symptoms.

What can my child’s school do to support my child when s/he returns after a concussion?

• First off, make sure you tell the school staff about the accident, especially if it happened at home or over the weekend.

• Many schools have a “concussion management team”. The team, with information from the medical staff who evaluated your child, can develop a list of accommodations to support your child with any ongoing concussion symptoms, such as the need for rest breaks or less visual and auditory stimulation.

• Concussion awareness is growing. If your child’s teacher isn’t familiar with best practice following a concussion, encourage them to check out the website for the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training, http://cbirt.org/ocamp/

This Blog was created in collaboration with the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training. Check out their FAMILIES tab at: http://cbirt.org/