Our Parent's Guide to Supporting a Child With Concussion (TBI)

As soon as kids start walking, they become little bundles of energy, exploring the world around them and participating in athletic activities. Unfortunately, as they test their boundaries and explore their environments, accidents — including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) — can happen. 

To put this in perspective, the CDC reports that in 2022, 2.3 million kids aged 17 and under were diagnosed with a concussion or brain injury.

Concussions affect various functions, including vision and balance. This is where the team of neuro-optometrists at DeyeNAMICS plays an invaluable role in recovery. 

Through our work, we’ve learned a few things about caring for kids with concussions, which we want to share with parents and guardians.

Concussion Basics

Let’s start with a quick overview. A concussion occurs when the brain is shaken back and forth inside the skull, often leading to bruising, bleeding, and tearing which often happens to the brain at a structural level that most imaging tests cannot identify.

Concussions fall into 3 grades:

1. Grade I — No loss of consciousness; amnesia, if present, lasts for 30 minutes or less
2. Grade II — Loss of consciousness for less than 5 minutes or amnesia that lasts up to 24 hours
3. Grade III — Loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes or amnesia that lasts for more than 24 hours

The higher the grade, the more severe and long-lasting the symptoms can become, which include:

• Headaches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vision issues, such as blurry or double vision
• Balance issues
• Confusion
• Mood changes
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Sleep problems

Some symptoms may not appear immediately after the injury.  This can make rehabilitation and recovery frustrating and difficult.

How to Help Your Child Recover From a Concussion

Brain injuries present a unique challenge because symptoms may not be obvious and can change over time. Here are some ways to support your child after a concussion:

Get the Right Team in Your Corner

A strong medical team can help ensure a healthy recovery for your child.

DeyeNAMICS specializes in rehabilitating vision or balance issues resulting from concussions or severe TBIs. See us as soon as possible, as early intervention with brain injuries is key.

Prioritize Rest During the First 48 Hours

After a concussion, your child’s brain remains in a delicate healing state.

For the first two days after a concussion, limit screen time and any mentally challenging activities. Allow your child to rest and sleep as much as they need to.

Encourage Your Child to Keep Moving During Recovery

We encourage light activity during early recovery. Take your child for a walk to get them moving. Low impact activity can be instrumentally helpful in speeding recovery by enhancing blood flow to the brain and reducing symptoms.

Monitor Symptoms Closely

Keep track of your child’s symptoms. Document and report any changes you notice to your medical team, especially if new symptoms arise or existing ones worsen. This can help aid in the recovery and rehabilitation process.

Recovery Timelines 

With a little patience and care, most kids recover from mild to moderate concussions in about 2-4 weeks. When it comes to severe TBIs, however, recovery can take much longer.  DeyeNNAMICS can assist in rehabilitation at any stage in recovery, including years after the concussion or severe TBI occurred.

If you have questions about caring for your child after a brain injury, especially if they experience vision or balance issues, please contact us at one of our offices in Sacramento, Bellflower, or Valencia, California; Guildford, Connecticut; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; or Plano, Texas.