Pediatric Post-Concussion Rehabilitation

About Pediatric Concussions

In 2022, it is estimated that 2.3 million children and adolescents received a diagnosis of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, with nearly 70% of those cases due to sport and recreational activities. Current literature has demonstrated the importance of early diagnosis/management, referral to concussion care specialists, and multi-disciplinary treatment, especially in the pediatric population. This early and comprehensive post-concussion management can help ensure safe/successful return to learn and play.

Why Seek Out Post-Concussion Rehab?

Current literature has emphasized how important timely management and active recovery are for individuals’ post-concussion. This is especially important for a young, developing brain. In addition to the individualized treatment and ongoing monitoring, post-concussion rehab also includes extensive family education and the development of a structured home program to promote a safe return to school and sport/activities.

Comprehensive Concussion Care at CSH

At Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH), each child will always receive individualized and 1-1 treatment using the most up-to-date and evidence-based interventions to promote a safe and efficient return to school, sport, and community/recreational activities. Clinicians at CSH specialize in pediatrics, understanding the need to make therapy meaningful and fun to keep each child engaged and get the most out of their therapy sessions. Clinicians often collaborate with other disciplines to best address the needs of each child and offer multidisciplinary care (as appropriate).Whether the activity is baseball, football, soccer, dance, basketball, or just playing on the playground, we are always excited to get to team up with each child and the family to help them successfully return to the activities they love.

To promote efficient recovery, the child may work with a variety of disciplines (depending on their symptoms), which may include: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Psychology (when available), and/or Neuropsychology (when available).

Physical Therapy:

In outpatient physical therapy (PT) at CSH, skilled physical therapists will perform a thorough evaluation to assess each child’s current function and identify areas of focus for treatment. Common post-concussion symptoms addressed during the PT evaluation may include headaches, dizziness, difficulties with balance, neck pain, blurred vision/visual concerns, fatigue, etc. Treatment will be individualized and tailored to the specific child and the child/family’s goals. Activities may include aerobic/cardiovascular exercise, vestibular-ocular interventions, balance training, postural and neuro-muscular re-education, cervical mobility/stability, manual therapy, sport-specific exercises, dual-task activities, etc. There will also be a strong emphasis on patient/family education and development of an individualized, prescriptive home program tailored to each child. Each child will complete standardized post-concussion protocol pending symptom resolution to ensure safe return to play/sport.-

• PT Commonly Addressed Areas: Cervical Spine Mobility/Pain Reduction, Vestibular-Ocular Function, Cardiovascular/Endurance Training, Visual-Motor Functioning, Dual-Task Training

Speech Therapy:

In outpatient speech therapy at CSH, skilled speech-language pathologists evaluate the impact of concussion symptoms on cognitive skills associated with day-to-day activities pertaining, but not limited, to attention, focus, memory, judgment, and planning. These professionals work with both the patient and the family to tailor specific treatment plans that can improve daily functioning via combination of learned strategies for executive functioning and symptom management. Skilled sessions are created to reflect naturalistic scenarios for generalization and also incorporate opportunities for family education to promote improved carryover across all functional settings.

• SP Commonly Addressed Areas: Executive Functioning, Processing, Memory and Recall, Word Finding, Cognitive Fatigue

Occupational Therapy:

In outpatient occupational therapy (OT) at CSH, skilled occupational therapists perform evaluations and tailor treatment to assist clients with improving their performance in everyday tasks, also known as occupations. Following a brain injury, daily life tasks such as self-care, sleep, and academic/work performance can be interrupted and challenged. Occupational therapists assist with improving skills, adapting the environment, and modifying tasks to improve overall participation. In addition, OT’s assist with building routines and habits that will help support overall wellbeing and health. Some specific areas or skills that OT’s might address during concussion recovery include: visual processing skills, sensory processing, coordination and balance, and sleep/fatigue management. Similarly to all therapies provided, OT goals will be client centered, family based, and a strong emphasis on education ad home carry over will be emphasized.

• OT Commonly Addressed Areas: Executive Functioning, Sensory Processing, Visual Motor/Perceptual Functioning, Sleep Management, Fatigue Management & Energy Conservation, Modifying Daily Activities

When to Seek Post-Concussion Care at CSH

The sooner the better to promote a more efficient recovery and safe return to sport/play! If a child is experiencing any of these symptoms following a concussion, they may benefit from a comprehensive evaluation to determine the appropriate treatment:

• Headache
• Balance Problems
• Dizziness
• Blurred Vision/Visual Concerns
• Sensitivity to Light/Noise
• Neck Pain
• Nausea or Vomiting
• More Emotional
• More Irritable
• Sadness
• Nervous or anxious
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Difficulty Remembering
• Feeling Slowed Down
• Feeling like “in a fog”
• Sleeping less than usual
• Sleeping more than usual
• Trouble falling asleep

To schedule an appointment, call 888-244-5373 or click here to request an appointment.