With more than 7.5 million high school students participating in athletics, it is not surprising that there are close to 300,000 head injuries amongst children and adolescents in the United States each year.¹ However, the problem does not begin at the high school level.¹ By the time students complete middle school over 50% report that they have already suffered at least one concussion.¹ That is why the theme of this year’s Brain Injury Association of New York’s Professional Symposium was “Milestones in Childhood Brain Injury”. 

“Children and adolescents who suffer a head injury are symptomatic for an average of 4 weeks and 1 out 10 have decreased quality of life for 12 months” asserted Hallie Zwibel, DO, Director of Sports Medicine, while speaking at the conference. “Symptoms like light sensitivity, lack of concentration and sleep disturbances can make it difficult to take a test, change classes or even eat lunch in the cafeteria” added Christina Finn, OTR/L, Assistant Professor in the NYIT Department of Occupational Therapy.

Therefore, it is not surprising that 40-70% of students who sustain a concussion will require academic accommodations in the classroom. The trouble is that more than 50% of school districts lack formal return to learn guidelines. In addition to educating healthcare professionals on this topic, the Center for Sports Medicine has collaborated with local schools, such as Syosset and Lawrence High Schools, to assist with concussion related policies and baseline testing. They also co-host the annual Head Injury Awareness Forum for local Athletic Directors and Athletic Trainers where professional
athletes relay their experiences on head injuries and concussions.

For more information on concussions visit the Center for Sports Medicine or email SportsMed@nyit.edu.

(1) Karlin, A. M. (2011). Concussion in the pediatric and adolescent population:“different population, different concerns”. PM&R, 3(10), S369-S379.

(2) O’Neill, J. A., Cox, M. K., Clay, O. J., Johnston Jr, J. M., Novack, T. A.,Schwebel, D. C., & Dreer, L. E. (2017). A review of the literature on pediatric concussions and return-to-learn (RTL): Implications for RTL policy, research, and practice. Rehabilitation psychology, 62(3), 300.