A bump or blow to the head, which may or may not result from a sports injury, is classified as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A concussion is serious and anyone must suspect to have a concussion seek out medical treatment as soon as possible.
In diagnosing a concussion, medical professionals will assess neurological and cognitive functioning areas such as reflexes, hearing, vision, balance, coordination, memory, and concentration. It is important to note that symptoms may not occur until several hours after the injury or even days.
Possible symptoms of a concussion:
- Vision issues or light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
- Dizziness, vomiting, or nausea
- Decreased balance or dizziness
- Emotional changes or changes in personality
- Issues with focus and attention
- Memory or confusion issues
- Changes in processing speed when speaking
My child has a concussion, now what?
After diagnosis from a medical professional, a child must rest, does not participate in any physical activity, and avoids activities requiring concentration or sensory stimulation.
Once symptoms reduce and the child has been reassessed, some concussions will heal on their own. Others might result in a diagnosis of Post Concussion Syndrome which may require treatment from a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or a speech-language pathologist to treat any residual difficulties.
What does therapy for Post Concussion Syndrome look like?
Occupational and physical therapists support individuals who have experienced concussions in increasing their endurance for activities for them to return to their typical daily routines. This may include:
- Memory and concentration tasks
- Vision activities
- Vestibular activities (balance, walking, movement)
- Processing speed and problem solving communication
Your child’s therapist will suggest activities for home as well as strategies and accommodations that should be used in school and when doing homework.
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