Return to Learn After a Concussion
When can my child return to school?
It will depend on your child. Every child’s injury and recovery is unique and requires careful observation from parents and doctors. You can promote recovery and prevent ongoing symptoms by following a “return to learn” plan like the one below. Your doctor will customize this plan based on your child’s recovery, and your child will move through the plan at her own pace.
Return to learn plan
Step 1
Complete cognitive (thinking, processing) rest is required until your child has been symptom-free for 24 hours.
- This means no school, no homework, no computer, no texting and no video games.
- Appropriate activities may include watching limited television, pleasure reading, drawing and cooking as long as they do not provoke symptoms.
Step 2
Light cognitive activity is permitted once your child has been symptom-free for 24 hours:
- Your child may do activities that do not cause symptoms to reoccur.
- Initially, your child may only tolerate five to 15 minutes of work at a time. Stop the activity if symptoms develop.
- Your child may increase the length of cognitive activity as long as symptoms do not develop or symptoms resolve with a short break.
Step 3
School-specific activity should be increased gradually:
- Your child may try to do some schoolwork at home and increase the duration as tolerated.
- Your child should continue to participate in this activity in short bursts of time (up to 30 minutes) as tolerated and then work up to longer time periods.
Step 4
Follow these guidelines to determine when your child is ready to return to school:
- When your child is able to do one to two hours of homework at home for one to two days, she may try to return for a half day of school. Alternately, if your child is able to do three to four hours of homework at home for one to two days, she may try to return to school for a full day.
- If symptoms develop while your child is at school, she should take a break in a quiet, supervised area until symptoms resolve. When symptoms resolve, she may return to class.
- If symptoms do not resolve, your child should go home.
- Your child may increase her time in school as tolerated.
Call 911 if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- Seizures (twitching or jerking movement of parts of the body; may look stiff)
- Weakness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Cannot recognize people or places
- Confused, restless or agitated
- Impaired consciousness
- Difficult to arouse or unable to awaken
- Repeated vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Bloody or clear fluid from the nose or ears
If you suspect a concussion:
Contact your child’s primary care doctor for evaluation.
Find a CHOP Primary Care physician near you»
If you have more questions:
Call one of our following centers:
Pediatric Trauma Center
215-590-5932
Sports Medicine and Performance Center
215-590-1527