Concussion Treatment for Children & Adolescents
Initial Visit for Your Concussion Treatment
- Memory and concentration
- Vision
- Balance and coordination
- Reflexes
- Head-and-neck range of motion
In rare cases, we may order an imaging scan such as MRI or CT to examine the brain for possible bleeding or swelling in the skull. Based on these findings, we will craft a personalized plan for return to learn or work and return to sport, while also providing education on dos and don’ts following injury. Based on your constellation of symptoms we will also prescribe a personalized home exercise program to expedite recovery and ensure that there are no long-term effects. We will provide you with paperwork to help facilitate accommodations from the school, athletic trainers, and coaches.
Follow up visits to gauge progress
Follow up visits will consist of examining progress since your initial visit, testing cognitive functioning, and making tweaks to your individualized treatment plan, including updates to paperwork for community partners who are helping coordinate your care plan (i.e., schools, athletic trainers, and coaches).
Following a concussion, the type of computerized neuro-cognitive test to be used will depend on the age of the patient and which test has the best research support for that age.
On average you can expect 3 total visits, though some people may require more or fewer visits. The length of time between the initial injury and medical clearance will depend on how quickly you are seen if there are co-occurring injuries and existing psychological stressors.
When to go to the ER or urgent care for a concussion
- Convulsions or Seizures
- Persistent vomiting
- Inability to wake up or extreme drowsiness
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling
- One pupil is noticeably larger than the other
