What parents need to know about children's concussions

Some signs and symptoms of concussions in children are listed below. It is important to recognize a concussion early and get treatment!

Fall in Texas means one thing for many school children – the kick-off of football season.

While fans in the stands may worry about whether their team will score or if the defense will save the day, players’ parents are often more concerned about how well those helmets will protect their children’s brains. Concussions, or brain injuries caused by a blow to the head, are a top concern for parents of young athletes.

Kim Bellini, owner and director of the brain-training centerThe Woodlands LearningRx, has been researching all things involving cognitive skills and the brain. She said knowing the signs and symptoms of concussions and taking the proper actions can often help prevent long-term damage.

“Even a mild ding can be serious,” Bellini said. “You can’t see a concussion, so you need to know the signs of a problem and seek medical attention immediately when needed.”

Some signs that parents may observe in a child with a concussion include:

• Headaches or pressure
• Confusion
• Forgetfulness
• Unsure of the game, opponent or score
• Clumsy movement
• Mood changes
• Inability to recall what happened right before or after a fall or hit
• Delayed answering of questions
• Loss of consciousness – even momentarily

"The athlete might report feeling dizzy or sluggish, having blurry or double vision or being sensitive to light or noise. A child may be nauseous, dazed or confused", Bellini said. If a parent or teacher notices these symptoms, it is time to seat the child on the sidelines. Symptoms can worsen with physical and mental exertion and students should wait to be evaluated before reentering the game. She suggests seeking medical attention if a child receives even the slightest bump to the head.

Parents should encourage students to wear helmets, even during practice. “Most concussions actually happen in practice,” Bellini said. “It’s more important for kids to be safe than to be an all-star.” She suggests that children ask their coaches for tips on how to block and tackle with their shoulders instead of leading with their heads.

Most importantly, Bellini recommends that parents research the risks and treatments of concussions before signing their children up for sports this year. “Concussions are serious business,” she said. “It’s absolutely critical that parents recognize the signs of a concussion and respond as soon as it occurs.”

To help young athletes this season, Bellini is offering a discounted cognitive assessment for students who bring proof of enrollment in a sport to The Woodlands LearningRx. Cognitive assessments can tell parents what learning skills need to be improved, which can help a child on the sports field as well as in the classroom.

The unique one-on-one training at LearningRx transforms a student’s ability to learn at a core, cognitive level. To learn more about The Woodlands LearningRx, visit their website.

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