4 Points that Matter about Post-Concussion Return to Learn

Completely enjoyed learning from Brenda Eagen-Brown- one of the true passionate authorities on post-concussion return to learn, and wanted to share some key "take-away" points from her awesome presentation.

All pictures are from her slides, and comments afterward are mine.

Make sure there is consistent agreement on terms describing what assistance students may receive after a concussion.

Absolutely essential to have all providers ask about these key historical aspects that can and often will impact concussion recovery. If a patient appears to have a more prolonged or difficult post-concussion course, very likely one or more of these items will be a factor. Don't hesitate to ask at multiple encounters as many patients won't initially offer or give sufficient details about pertinent past history.

Great summery of changes that not only teachers should be assessing but also provide the framework for medical providers and families to address classroom difficulties. One of Brenda's key points- recall issues after concussion tend to be difficulties with information retrieval ("on the tip of my tongue") than true memory deficits.

Many benefits to a standing protocol for initial return to learn that doesn't need medical clearance that immediately addresses student need. Extra emphasis on the scheduled rest breaks as waiting until symptoms erupt only slows the recovery process. These efforts attempt to reduce over-stimulation or emotional flooding that more readily occurs during post-concussion recovery as the brain's "filters" are not functioning properly.