A concussion is a brain injury. It is caused by any blow to the head or a blow to the body which causes a sudden shaking of the head. It affects the way a child may think and remember things, and can cause a variety of symptoms.
The Parachute Canada Concussions webpage provides detailed information about concussions.
The video below by Dr. Mike Evans offers a primer on concussions.
Prevent Concussions
In young children, concussions happen mostly from falls at home and on playgrounds. To prevent falls:
- Watch young children closely.
- Use safety products at home such as window guards and safety gates. Use wall-mounted gates at the top of stairs. Wall-mounted or pressure gates should be used at the bottom of the stairs.
- Keep stairs and high-traffic areas free from toys, books, clutter, and other tripping hazards.
- Do not use baby walkers with wheels. They do not help children learn to walk and are banned for sale in Canada.
- On playgrounds, make sure your child uses equipment designed for their age and development. For example, children under age five should play on equipment lower than 1.5 metres (5 feet).
- Avoid lifting children to heights they can’t reach themselves or helping them to climb higher than they are comfortable going.
- Go to playgrounds with deep, soft surfaces that can cushion falls. Ensure the play structure has good handrails, barriers and railings.
In older children, concussions mostly happen from sports or recreation activities. To prevent concussions:
- Introduce young children to non-contact sports such as flag football and soccer without heading. When contact is eventually introduced, it should be limited (for example, shorter and fewer contact practices between games).
- Encourage your child to follow the rules that are meant to keep them and others safe.
- Reinforce wearing the right gear for the right activity, such as properly fitting shoes in physical education class.
- Ensure you and your child wear properly fitting certified helmets for activities such as biking, scootering and skating. While helmets do not prevent concussions, they prevent other serious head and brain injuries.
Source: Parachute Canada
Among older adults, concussions happen mostly from falls at home. Visit the TBDHU Falls Prevention page for tips to prevent falls at home.
Concussion Symptoms
| Thinking Problems | Child's Complaints | Other Problems |
|---|---|---|
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What to do if you suspect a concussion in a child
Infants, toddlers and preschoolers may not be able to tell you how they are feeling. Watch for any of the following changes: crying more than usual; unsteady walking; lack of interest in favourite toys; changes in nursing, eating or sleeping patterns; or loss of new skills, such as toilet training. Get medical help immediately if the child has any signs of serious injury. This could include neck pain, repeated vomiting, growing confusion, seizures, and weakness or tingling in their arms or legs.
In all cases of suspected concussion, the child should stop the activity right away. This reduces the risk of more severe, longer-lasting concussion symptoms, as well as other injury. Do not leave the child alone and take them to a health care provider as soon as possible. Call 911 if the child loses consciousness. Do not move them or remove any equipment such as a helmet. They child should not return to play the same day.
Return to Learn
When can a child with a concussion return to school?
Each concussion is unique, so each child will progress at their own rate. They should not be rushed to return to regular activities. At the same time, they should not be restricted from attending school if they can tolerate being there.
A student with a concussion may miss school, but more than one week of complete absence is generally not recommended. When in class, the student may find it hard to concentrate, get a worse headache or feel sick to their stomach. They may need to start with partial days at school and may need help to tolerate the workload and the school environment. This could include more breaks, extra time to complete work, permission to wear sunglasses in class, or a quiet place to eat lunch. Medical clearance is not required to return to school.
See the Parachute Canada Return-to-School Strategy (PDF) for guidance on a progressive return to school.
Return to Play
When can a child with a concussion return to sport activities?
A child recovering from a concussion should avoid activities that put them at risk of contact, collisions or falls. They should complete the return-to-school process before asking for medical clearance to fully return to unrestricted sport activities. Follow the Parachute Canada Return-to-Sport Strategy (PDF) for step-by-step guidance.
For more information, visit Parachute Canada's Concussion page. It offers several helpful resources, including concussion guides for teachers, parents/caregivers, athletes, and coaches/trainers.