Pediatric Comprehensive Concussion Clinic

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Concussions in Youth

We understand the concern that comes when a child is diagnosed with a concussion, whether from a traumatic injury or sports injury. We also understand the added stress that can be placed on a family trying to navigate follow-up care with the various specialists needed for proper evaluation and treatment.

At Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital, we want to be your most trusted source for comprehensive concussion care. We offer a multidisciplinary approach to concussion care — to recognize symptoms early on and ensure proper treatment for a full recovery. That’s why we have developed the Pediatric Comprehensive Concussion Clinic to provide complete care for pediatric patients from infancy to 18 years of age with a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion that requires close attention and follow-up shortly after diagnosis by a medical provider.

Your child will benefit from care by our trauma-trained pediatric providers. Our team will coordinate for complete care before safely integrating your child back into daily activities, school and/or sports.

What Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a hit or blow directly to the head or to the body, making the head jolt. This sudden impact, such as from a car accident, fall or sports injury, can cause the brain to move rapidly back and forth inside the skull. The resulting damage to the brain can affect a child’s physical abilities as well as their behavior, emotions, memory, sleep and more.

A child with a possible mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), or concussion, needs to be seen by a healthcare provider who can make a proper diagnosis and determine when it is safe to reintegrate back into regular activities including school, sports and play. For a child who suffers a concussion, the health effects can be serious. While symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury, they sometimes may linger for months or longer.

Understanding the Symptoms

Concussion symptoms are not the same for everyone and may differ depending on the age of your child and the extent of the injury. While symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury, they may not show up right away — taking hours or even days to appear. After a major strike or blow to the head or body, check to see if your child is experiencing:

Balance problems/dizziness or “seeing stars”
Confusion or feeling “foggy”
Double or fuzzy vision
Fatigue
Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
Irritability or crankiness
Loss of balance or unsteady walking
Memory problems
Nausea or vomiting
Ringing in the ears
Sensitivity to light or sound
Slurred speech
Temporary loss of consciousness

If your child has experienced or is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention. If symptoms get worse, it’s best to be safe and take your child to the nearest emergency room.

Recovering Safely

Orlando Health Children's Arnold Palmer Hospital is the only Level I Trauma Center for children in Central Florida and is recognized as a Verified Trauma Center by the Committee on Trauma. We have also has received Trauma Verification and Children’s Surgical Verification from the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This recognition demonstrates the expertise of our pediatric trauma providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat all types of concussions.

Our Pediatric Comprehensive Concussion Clinic specialists provide the clinical expertise, treatment and education your child needs to make a full recovery. Often, the best medicine for a concussion is time, with lots of rest and relaxation. Once the doctor gives permission for your child to return to regular activity, it’s important they take things slowly to avoid re-injury. As always, talk with your doctor about best practices for your child’s recovery.

Resources

Learn more about concussions. Read about the potential long-term effects of concussion and the importance of taking the time to recover.

Seek medical attention right away. In the event of a head injury, our team should evaluate your child as soon as possible. We perform state of the art research-based diagnostics and offer world class treatments. Therefore, we can provide return-to-play and return to daily activities recommendations based on each individual patient.

In Florida, the law requires a medical provider (MD, DO, PA, or NP) to evaluate and clear children before they are allowed to go back to a return-to-play protocol. Children with suspected concussion must NEVER return to sports or recreation activities on the same day they sustain a concussion. Read more at: Laws.FLRules.org.

When your child is ready to return to school or play, we will provide written communication to the school, teachers, school nurse, coach or counselor and would be available to talk where needed about the concussion and symptoms. It is important to offer support to your child during this time as he or she may be frustrated at not being able to participate in activities at the same level during the recovery process. Children and teens who return to school after a concussion may need to:

Take rest breaks, as needed.
Spend fewer hours at school.
Be given more time to take tests or complete assignments.
Receive help with school work.
Reduce the amount of time spent reading, writing or using a computer.