Back-to-school time brings fresh opportunities for kids to get active – recess, physical education class and the start of the winter sport season. As we encourage kids to play, it’s important to be aware of injury risks – not the average bumps and bruises but more serious ones such as an injury to their brain.
Concussions are the most common type of brain injury. The good news: research shows that recognizing symptoms, getting checked by a doctor and properly managing the concussion are associated with better and faster recovery.
As a parent, learning about concussions is important so you can see the signs and help your child navigate this all-too-common injury. Read on for the latest information, agreed upon by Canadian and international experts.
There are many possible symptoms of a concussion
A concussion affects the way your brain works. And what does your brain do? Everything! So it’s no surprise that a concussion can lead to many kinds of symptoms, affecting the way you feel, think and even sleep. The most common symptom is a headache or pressure in the head, followed by dizziness. Others include feeling sick to your stomach, sensitivity to light and noise, ringing in your ears and trouble concentrating. Just one sign or symptom is enough to consider a possible concussion and get your child checked out. There’s no test or X-ray for a concussion; you need a doctor to assess your child and make the diagnosis.
Read Parachute’s Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers to learn more about signs and symptoms.
Returning to school is a top priority
If your child has a concussion, they may miss one or more days of school, but completely missing out on school for more than a week is not recommended. For the first 24-to-48 hours after the injury, your child should stay home and stick to daily living activities such as bathing and meals. They can continue to talk with friends and family so they don’t feel isolated.
As early as 48 hours after the injury, your child may be able to start spending time at school. It’s common to begin with partial days and accommodations to help them, such as extra time to do work, permission to wear sunglasses in class or a quiet place to eat lunch. Your child should not be rushed back to full school activities but, at the same time, if your child can tolerate being at school, they should not be kept from attending.
Learn more in Parachute’s Return to School Strategy
Limit screen time for the first 48 hours
One of the most common questions about concussion recovery is whether it’s OK to use screens. Reducing screen time for the first 48 hours is beneficial. After that, your child can gradually increase use of their phone, laptop and other devices. If screen time is affecting their symptoms – for example, making their headache worse – be sure that they take breaks and don’t overdo it.
Getting back to physical activity, in the right way, helps recovery
Gone are the days of sending people with concussion into a dark room to rest until their symptoms go away. Research shows that exercise is actually a kind of treatment that helps concussion recovery. Exercise needs to be added in gradually and in a low-risk environment at first. Medical clearance, showing your child has fully recovered from their concussion, is needed before returning to full practices, games and competitions.
Learn about the steps for reintroducing physical activity in Parachute’s Return to Sport Strategy
Be aware that concussions are not just a “sport thing”
While for children aged 10 years and older most concussions are caused in sport and recreation, this is not the only way the injuries happen. Younger kids are most likely to hurt their head from a fall on stairs, off a couch or bed, or from playground equipment. Whether you consider your child to be sporty or not, having basic and up-to-date knowledge about concussion is important for every parent.
