Youth Concussion: Recognition, Recovery, and Return to Play
Concussion symptoms parents should never ignore, the graduated return-to-learn and return-to-play steps, and when to seek emergency care.
Concussion recovery has changed: complete rest in a dark room is no longer recommended. Guided, gradual return works better for most young athletes.
Recognizing a concussion
- Headache, dizziness, nausea, or sensitivity to light and noise.
- Confusion, slowed responses, or repeated questions.
- Emotional changes, irritability, or unusual sadness.
- Sleep disruption, either too much or too little.
- Loss of consciousness happens in a minority of concussions.
Seek emergency care immediately for
- Worsening or severe headache.
- Repeated vomiting.
- Seizures, slurred speech, or weakness on one side.
- Increasing confusion or difficulty waking.
Return to learn, then return to play
School accommodations come first: shortened days, reduced screen work, and extra time. Once symptoms are settled at school, athletes progress through graduated activity stages, spending at least 24 hours at each step and moving back a step if symptoms return.
The most important rule
No athlete returns to play the same day as a suspected concussion. Returning too early risks a longer recovery and, rarely, serious injury. Final clearance should come from a medical provider.
When to call Divaker Pediatrics
Our Mount Dora office is here for questions big and small. Call 352-383-8386 to schedule a visit, or use the healow patient portal to send a message to our team. If your child has a medical emergency, call 911.