What are the signs of concussion in children?
Concussions can happen to anyone. From football players to clumsy toddlers, a hit to the head can have serious consequences. But how do you know if your child has sustained a concussion? Here are some telltale signs that will help you recognize when it’s time to seek medical attention.
The Symptoms
Symptoms of a concussion may show up immediately after an injury or later on. They include:
- Headaches
- Blurry vision
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
Is your kid seeing stars even though it’s not Fourth of July yet? This could be because they’ve had a blow to the noggin, which is nothing but trouble for tiny humans.
Feeling out of sorts
Children with concussions often report feeling confused, disoriented or fuzzy-headed—like they just can’t seem to think straight.
Changes in Sleep Patterns
Concussed kids might start sleeping longer than usual or develop insomnia (inability to sleep).
Note: If your child starts refusing their power nap, then brace yourself… another meltdown might be coming soon.
Experiencing Sensory Overload
Loud sounds and bright lights can become unbearable for children who have experienced concussions (or so I’m told – I’ve never actually been there myself).
Cognition Issues
A concussion affects more than just physical abilities; it also impairs cognitive function by affecting things like memory and concentration.
Warning: Reading this section may cause forgetfulness!
Short-term Memory Problems
Kids with concussions sometimes experience difficulty recalling things that happened shortly before (just prior) or following the event.
Example: “Hey kiddo where did we park again?” …the response “What was our car color?”
Difficulty Concentrating
It’s common for children with concussions to have difficulty focusing or paying attention (not that focusing is our strong suit these days anyways).
Slow Mental Processing Speed
Concussions can also cause delays in processing information, which can affect movement, reaction time and decision-making skills.
Parents are shocked to discover their kid’s usual snail pace has suddenly become frozen zombie-esque (congrats! you’ve made it into an apocalypse!).
Changes in Mood and Behavior
A concussion often leaves children feeling frustrated, anxious or irritable—like a chip on the shoulder with no clear reasons behind them.
Caution: avoid making jokes about tailspins as their mood might really take a nosedive.
Sudden Mood Swings
Your child may start experiencing sudden bursts of emotions which they might lose control over quickly.
Depression and Anxiety
In some cases, concussed kids wind up struggling with feelings of hopelessness and despair long term after the injury occurred.
Non-motor agitation
Children who are struggling post-concussion may experience quickened breathing patterns or start clenching/unclenching fists rapidly (It’s basically like watching miniature versions of the Hulk trying to contain themselves).
Physical Symptoms
Head injuries often make way for physical symptoms centered more around how your kiddo feels than his/her behaviour.
Note: Just because he/she complains doesn’t necessarily mean they did something wrong….THIS TIME…
Headaches
Frequent headaches are one of the most common symptoms noticed in children dealing with a concussion.
Dizziness/loss of balance
If your child hasn’t had any bad allergic reactions recently but complains about feeling “woozy” then tell-tale signs point towards possible sustained head damage.
We hope we’ve educated you enough without overwhelming you completely- it was always our intent to help break down this critical topic!
Remember, if you think your child has experienced a head injury, it’s essential to speak with a doctor or licensed medical professional as soon as possible. With proper care and treatment steps taken immediately post injury/accident, recovery is very likely for children dealing with concussions.
Cause there is nothing worse than feeling down when your child feels helpless!