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Children Experiencing Concussion Symptoms Face Problems At School
It is no surprise, but a new study has confirmed concussions can have a negative impact on a child’s academic performance.
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, shows that students still experiencing concussion symptoms were more likely to report an impact on school performance compared to students who were no longer symptomatic. The level of impact on school performance was also directly correlated to the severity of the injury and the age of the student.
The researchers from the Children’s National Health System, George Washington University School of Medicine and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University surveyed 349 students aged 5 to 18 to assess their school experience after a concussion.
The researchers split the students into two groups, one group who were continuing to experience symptoms from brain injuries and those who were no longer experiencing symptoms.
The findings of the study showed that the severity of concussion symptoms was clearly related to the degree of academic problems across all grade levels. Of the students still experiencing symptoms, 88% reported issues with concentration, headaches, and fatigue, and 77% had issues taking notes or completing homework and studying for quizzes.
The researchers also noted that high school students reported the most learning problems compared to middle or elementary school children.
According to the authors of the study, their findings indicate school systems and medical professionals should be working together to help children through the recovery phase of a brain injury.
“Our findings suggest that these supports are particularly necessary for older students, who face greater academic demands relative to their younger peers,” conclude the authors.
