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What to look for

after a concussion
When students return to school after a
concussion, school professionals should
watch for:
• Increased problems paying attention or
concentrating
• Increased problems remembering or
learning new information
• Longer time needed to complete tasks or
assignments
• Difficulty organizing tasks
Students who return to school after a
• Inappropriate or impulsive behavior
during class concussion may need to:
• Greater irritability • Take rest breaks as needed,
• Less ability to copy with stress or more • Spend fewer hours at school,
emotional
• Be given more time to take tests or
complete assignments,

• Receive help with schoolwork, and/or
Services and accommodations for students may • Reduce time spent on the computer,

include speech-language therapy, environmental reading, or writing.
adaptations, curriculum modifications, and
behavioral strategies. It is normal for students to feel frustrated, sad,
and even angry because they cannot return to

Students may need to limit activities while they recreation or sports right away, or cannot keep

are recovering from a concussion. Exercising or up with their schoolwork. A student may also
activities that involve a lot of concentration, feel isolated from peers and social networks.
such as studying, working on the computer, or Talk with the student about these issues and

playing video games, may cause concussion offer support and encouragement. As the
symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to student’s symptoms decrease, the extra help or
reappear or get worse. support can be removed gradually.

For more information on concussion and to order additional materials for school
professionals FREE- OF-CHARGE, visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion.