Concussions in Children: What Parents Need to Know

Concussions are one of the most common childhood injuries, occurring not only in sports but also through everyday activities like falls, play, or car accidents. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily affects how the brain functions—but without proper care, it can have lasting effects.

Understanding the signs, recovery process, and importance of treatment can make a critical difference in your child’s healing.

How to Recognize a Concussion in Children

One of the biggest challenges with pediatric concussions is that symptoms are not always immediate and can appear hours or even days after an injury. [cdc.gov]

Common symptoms in school-aged children:

• Headache or pressure in the head

• Dizziness or balance problems

• Trouble concentrating or remembering

• Fatigue or appearing “foggy”

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Irritability, mood changes, or sleep disturbances [mayoclinic.org]

Signs in younger children (who may not be able to explain symptoms):

• Increased crying or irritability

• Changes in sleep or eating habits

• Clumsiness or loss of balance

• Lack of interest in play or favourite activities

• Wanting more comfort than usual

• Appearing dazed or “not themselves” [cdc.gov]

Because young children often cannot describe how they feel, parents should watch for changes in behaviour rather than waiting for complaints of pain.

Why Concussion Therapy Matters

Most children recover well—but only with proper management and guided care.

Research shows that concussion recovery should include:

• A short period of rest (24–48 hours)

• Gradual, supervised return to school and activity

• Monitoring of symptoms and progression [cdc.gov]

Physiotherapy-led concussion treatment may include:

• Balance and vestibular therapy

• Visual tracking exercises

• Gradual return-to-activity programs

• Education for both child and parent

Early and guided rehabilitation has been associated with better outcomes and faster recovery, especially for children with persistent symptoms. [nemours.el...erpure.com]

Understanding Limitations After a Concussion

After a concussion, the brain needs time to heal. Returning to normal activity too quickly can worsen symptoms or delay recovery.

Children may need temporary limits on:

• Screen time

• School workload

• Sports and physical activity

• Loud or stimulating environments

A step-by-step return-to-learn and return-to-play approach is recommended to ensure safe recovery. [cdc.gov]

Risks of Poorly Managed or Repeated Concussions

Ignoring symptoms or rushing recovery can have serious consequences.

Children with a previous concussion are over 3 times more likely to sustain another concussion. [bjsm.bmj.com]

About 1 in 6 children may experience a repeat concussion within two years. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Multiple concussions can increase the risk of:

• Prolonged recovery

• Learning and memory difficulties

• Long-term cognitive or emotional effects

Even more concerning is the risk of returning to activity before the brain has healed, which can increase the chance of more severe injury.

How Baseline Concussion Testing Helps

Baseline testing is a simple, pre-injury assessment of your child’s:

• Memory

• Balance

• Reaction time

• Cognitive function

This creates a personal “normal” for your child.

If a concussion occurs, healthcare providers can compare post-injury results to the baseline to:

• Detect subtle changes

• Track recovery progress

• Make safer return-to-school and sport decisions [hackensack...health.org]

Because every child is different, baseline testing allows for more accurate and individualized care.

How Leduc Physio Can Help

At Leduc Physio, we support children and families through every stage of concussion care:

• Comprehensive concussion baesline and post-injury assessments

• Individualized recovery and therapy plans

• Safe return-to-school and return-to-play guidance

• Baseline concussion testing for individuals, teams, or families

Whether your child has recently experienced a head injury or you want to be proactive with baseline testing, our team is here to help ensure a safe, full recovery.

Book a concussion assessment HERE or email info@leducphysio to ask any questions.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Signs and Symptoms of Concussion. [cdc.gov]

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). HEADS UP Concussion Guidelines and Recovery. [cdc.gov]

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Returning to Sports and Activities After Concussion. [cdc.gov]

• Mayo Clinic. Concussion in Children: Symptoms and Recovery. [mayoclinic.org]

• van Ierssel, J., et al. (2021). Risk of Recurrent Concussion in Children and Adolescents. British Journal of Sports Medicine. [bjsm.bmj.com]

• Curry, A. E., et al. (2019). Risk of Repeat Concussion Among Pediatric Patients. The Journal of Pediatrics. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Hackensack Meridian Health. Should Your Child Get Baseline Concussion Testing? [hackensack...health.org]

• Isch, E. L., et al. (2024). Return-to-Play Guidelines in Pediatric Concussion: A Systematic Review. [nemours.el...erpure.com]