Concussions: The Invisible Injury

In recent years, the media has shed more light on concussions in sports, and the unseen dangers of head injuries.  Newspapers and movies have tried to highlight the effects of concussions on the brain, in an effort to change the public’s opinion on contact sports such as football.  But, what media outlets are missing from the concussion conversation is how students returning to school from head injuries can still be struggling with concussion symptoms.  Teachers that are unaware of students’ concussions because they are not visible, may leave students at a learning disadvantage.

A concussion can be defined as traumatic brain injury caused by any sort of intense blow to the head.  A concussion is not something you should just “walk off” in sports.  They require serious medical attention, due to the fact that they can alter chemicals in the brain, leading to damaged brain cells.  According to the CDC, when students return to school after a concussion, they may have issues with learning  skills such as the speed at which they read, performing multi- step math problems, and concentrating.  NEST+m senior Lily Bender struggled with concussion recovery at school, saying, “If I tried to focus on something, especially if it was a big assignment, like an essay, I would have to take a lot of breaks. My head would hurt looking at a screen and then during an in-class essay, for instance, when I got back, my mind wandered a lot. My head would hurt looking at a screen and then during an in-class essay, for instance, when I got back, my mind wandered a lot.”  Some NEST+m students who have suffered concussions have  had to take extra time away from classes to be able to recover.  Katie Hunter’ 20 recalled her transition from having a concussion to going back to  school, saying, “I didn’t go to a class for an extra month because it was harder.  No gym for the whole first semester, which the school let me do.  I went to the nurse and sat in her extra room.”

Mentally, students may experience some emotional changes or shifts.  Concussions can cause an increase in anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems.  It is necessary that teachers recognize these emotional shifts, and find out how to provide help to the student.   When asked about her concussion, Lily Bender’ 20 said, “...knowing that you have a concussion is distracting in itself. And it makes you feel like even if you're not distracted, you think 'I have this handicap'. Knowing you have one means you're more aware of what you're feeling.”    

Although it can be difficult for teachers to  identify when a student is suffering from the aftermath of a concussion, there are a few main  warning signs to look out for: (1) Fatigue or dizziness, (2)  Mental confusion, (3) nausea.  The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia also recommends that teachers make sure students do not participate in physical activities, including recess, as well as helping students apply for formal learning accommodations.  Katie Hunter’ 20 gave some important advice to teachers, stating, “Check into see how they’re (the student) is doing, like if the student seems to be struggling.  Don’t call them out in the middle of class, but be aware of how the student is doing.  Also tell them: if you need to go to the nurse, raise your hand, come over to me, that’s totally fine,...”    

Overall, concussions are a very serious medical issue that educators need to be aware of.  Teachers have the responsibility to care, and listen to their students no matter what.  If a student came into the classroom with a broken leg, it would be obvious to the teacher that they are in pain.  So, it goes without saying that even though concussions are an invisible injury, no teacher should ever doubt the pain a student is going through, regardless of whether they can see it.  Katie Hunter’ 20 put it best, “A concussion is like a bruise.  And some people never fully recover.”