- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
Concussions: What Teachers Need to Know
What Teachers Should Know About Concussions
A concussion is brain injury that affects the way the brain works and can lead to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and confusion.
Most kids with a concussion return to school within a week. They may still have some symptoms and need special supports when they first return. This information will help familiarize you with what symptoms and challenges your student may have and how you can help them.
What Concussion Symptoms Might Happen?
Health care providers clear kids with concussions to go back to school when their symptoms are tolerable for 30–45 minutes (about the length of a class period).
Students recovering from a concussion might have:
- headaches
- blurry vision
- tiredness
- trouble concentrating or remembering
- light sensitivity
- sadness or irritability
They might need:
- a shorter school day
- fewer classes
- extra time for assignments, homework, quizzes, and tests
- tutoring
- school-provided class notes and study guides
- rest breaks
- to avoid activities that take concentration, such as quizzes or tests
- to make up schoolwork during vacation
- to wear sunglasses due to light sensitivity
Students whose concussion symptoms continue or get worse may need a more formalized plan like a:
- 504 plan or IEP to make sure they get the services they need
- response to intervention protocol (RTI) to make sure they get better as expected
What Can Teachers Do if a Student Has Concussion Symptoms?
If the student’s symptoms are mild, encourage them to try to stay through a class period (of 30–45 minutes). They can try resting their head on the desk for a few minutes.
The student should see the nurse if:
- the symptoms last longer than 30–45 minutes
- they have new or worse symptoms
- the symptoms are intolerable
If your student’s symptoms don’t seem to get better within 2 weeks, talk to the school nurse. The nurse can talk to the student’s parent about having their child checked by a doctor. The school can add more supports, if needed.
What Else Should I Know?
Students cleared to be at school after a concussion aren’t necessarily cleared for sports, physical education, or other activities that could lead to another head injury. Students should follow their doctor’s recommendations for staying out of sports and other activities until the doctor says these are OK.
Any student who gets a head injury while at school should be seen by the nurse right away.
Every student recovers differently from a concussion. They need support from family, friends, and teachers so they can heal and gradually return to the activities they enjoyed before the concussion.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Humana Healthy Horizons Extras
- Member Support
- Care management
- Caregiver resources
- Child well-being
- Disease management
- Documents and forms
- Enrollment
- Grievances and appeals
- Health and wellness
- KidsHealth
- Member Handbook
- New Member Resources
- News and alerts
- OhioRISE Plan
- Pregnancy outcomes
- Tobacco cessation
- Why Humana
- Your primary care provider
- For Providers
- Contact us
- Accessibility
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Humana Healthy Horizons Extras
- Member Support
- Care management
- Caregiver resources
- Child well-being
- Disease management
- Documents and forms
- Enrollment
- Grievances and appeals
- Health and wellness
- KidsHealth
- Member Handbook
- New Member Resources
- News and alerts
- OhioRISE Plan
- Pregnancy outcomes
- Tobacco cessation
- Why Humana
- Your primary care provider
- For Providers
- Contact us
- Accessibility