Newly released survey data from the Children's National Health System has revealed that most students who have suffered from concussions are concerned about their academic performance in the following weeks of recovery.

According to The Huffington Post, senior author Gerard A. Gioia "and his coauthors surveyed 239 pairs of kids and their parents, plus another 110 kids' parents, after the kids were treated at an outpatient concussion clinic within 28 days of the injury, after they had returned to school. The youngsters ranged in age from 5 to 18."

Tests results revealed that only 31 percent of the bunch were fully recovered from their symptoms within that time, and that 60 percent of those still recovering "were moderately or very concerned about the concussion affecting school learning and performance, compared to 16 percent of recovered kids and 30 percent of their parents," the article said.

Sufferers reported taking longer time to get homework done, having headaches that interfered with focus in the classroom, and feeling tired more easily throughout the school day.

Further, the most concerned students of the 5-18 age group were those that were high school aged. The more demanding the work, the more likely the sufferer was to report experiencing problems performing.

Though students are typically ready to get back in school two to three days after the concussion happens, Goia urges school systems to offer extra support as students are recovering from symptoms.

"'School systems need to be prepared to accept and support these kids heading back into classrooms before full recovery,' which requires collaboration between medical professionals and school staff, he said."

Read the full article here and comment below.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

05/12/2015