Recovery from Concussion in Students

Jeanne E. Dise-Lewis, PhD, The Children's Hospital Colorado

Multimedia

• Simple strategies like keeping a set of books at school and another at home can make an enormous difference for your child at school with a TBI. Simple Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School After a TBI
• Children spend about six hours a day at school. Educating teachers about a child's need after TBI is crucial.

  See all content with Dr. Gillett.

  What Schools Need to Know About Children with Brain Injury
• Honest self-reporting of symptoms is crucial when recovering from a TBI. How Much Rest is Enough Rest After a TBI?
• Yes, some sports could be safer — and should be — but not participating in sports at all is like being a boat that never sets sail. Finding a Balance: Sports and Safety
• A doctor/parent talks about trying to find a balance between the benefits and dangers of letting his children play contact sports. Should You Let Your Child Play Contact Sports?
• Ninety-nine percent of services kids will need after a TBI will be in the school setting. Teachers are key.
  
  Transcript of this video. Targeting Teachers in Treating Brain Injury in Children
• Teachers are often the first to notice that something may be wrong with a student from a hit during sports. Identifying a TBI: A Teacher's Role

Just Use Your Head!

Almost all uncomplicated concussions in children and adolescents resolve gradually and completely over a period of a few days to 3 weeks. Your brain will recover on its own — there is no special program or set of things you need to do except give your brain a chance to heal itself. Here are some ways you can make sure your brain makes a full recovery after you have had a concussion.

Keep your head out of traffic for awhile

• Don’t participate in any activity in which there is any chance that your head is going to get hit or jostled
• How long is "a while?" It’s hard to know, but at least 8 days.
• About 1/3 of kids seem healed enough to go back to sports in about 10 days, another 1/3 in 2 weeks, and 1/3 take more than 3 weeks before their brains are recovered from their concussion.
• Talk with your doctor, school nurse or psychologist, Athletic Trainer, or other people who know about concussion management about how you’re feeling. They will help make the decision about when it is safe for you to go back to sports and other activities in which your brain might get hurt again.

Do not use any alcohol or drugs

• Alcohol kills brain cells and drugs interfere with the normal chemical and electrical processes of your brain.
• Both are bad for developing brains, but they are very harmful when your brain is already injured.
• Ask your doctor about any prescribed medications you are taking.

Tell your school nurse or psychologist that you’ve had a concussion

• Your school team will set up a meeting to reduce your academic demands and set up a plan to make sure that you are well supported during the time when you are recovering.
• There are tips for your school personnel on the back of this card.

Take off from school, work, and social activities for 2-3 days

• Get to bed early and sleep in the next day. Your body heals and grows while you sleep; the hours of sleep before midnight count double the hours after midnight in this regard!
• Listen to music, watch TV, talk with your friends, nap, eat. Don’t spend too much time on the computer.

See other articles by Jeanne Dise-Lewis, PhD.