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Head Injury/Concussions
Head Injury/Concussions
What is a Concussion?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or a hit to the body that causes the brain to move or shift in the skull and causes a functional disturbance and chemical changes to brain cells. Concussions typically result in the rapid onset of signs and symptoms, although in some cases symptoms may evolve over minutes to hours.
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- Headache or feeling "pressure in the head"
- Difficulty remembering events just before or after a hit or fall
- Appearing dazed or stunned
- Forgetting an instruction or confusion about an assignment
- Moving clumsily or answering questions slowly
- Concentration or memory problems
- Just not "feeling right" or "feeling down"
- Showing mood, behavior, or personality changes
- Feeling sluggish or foggy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Balance problems or dizziness
- Double or blurry vision
- Bothered by light or noise
- Losing consciousness (even briefly)
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It is important to notify your child's school nurse following a head injury/concussion diagnosis. Full recovery from a concussion may take several days to several weeks or even months. There are physical and emotional symptoms that may continue during a recovery.
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- Lincoln Public Schools requires that a student returning to school, post-concussion, submit a re-entry plan from a healthcare provider. You can download the Heads Up: Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Care Plan to give to your healthcare provider.
- Please Note: Students who are diagnosed with a concussion as the result of participation in LPS Extracurricular Athletics must submit a Post Sports-Related Head Injury Medical Clearance and Authorization Form prior to resuming the athletic activity.
- Lincoln Public Schools requires that a student returning to school, post-concussion, submit a re-entry plan from a healthcare provider. You can download the Heads Up: Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Care Plan to give to your healthcare provider.
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The above information is from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, "Returning to School After Concussion: Guidelines for Massachusetts Schools.", June 2018.