Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if a child has hit their head?

General

Every hit to a child's head is important to take care of. Whether a concussion or a more severe brain injury, be evaluated by a healthcare provider (HCP). This can be done by a visit to an Emergency Department (ED), Urgent care, Primary Care Physician (PCP) and/or at least a phone call to the child’s PCP for advice.

Immediate action needs to be taken for:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizure activity
  • Persistent vomiting
  • Severe, unrelenting or increasing headache, even after rest
  • Inability to rouse out of sleep into consciousness
  • Neck pain or tenderness
  • Double vision
  • Weakness or tingling/burning in more than 1 arm or in the legs
  • Deteriorating conscious state
  • Increasingly restless, agitated or combative
  • Visible deformity of the skull

What should I do if the injury does not result in any of the redflags listed above and I am unsure of where to take a child to for care?

General

If unsure whether to go to an urgent care or emergency department after a hit to the head, call your PCP or pediatrician’s office to discuss symptoms over the phone. If your child does not have a primary care provider, consider calling a local urgent care clinic or a nurse advice line, which many hospitals and insurance providers offer. Having a healthcare provider guide the plan remotely allows for an immediate pivot to emergency care when/if needed.

While waiting to hear back from a healthcare provider, if red flags such as those listed above develop, go immediately to an emergency room. 

What does the Concussion Navigator App aim to do?

General Concussion Navigator

The app has several key goals:

  • Help parents, guardians, and youth recognize the signs of concussion early and seek appropriate care.
  • Increase confidence in managing concussion recovery.
  • Track symptoms and support communication with healthcare providers.
  • Make it easier to find specialty concussion providers and resources across the state, especially for those in areas with limited access to healthcare.
  • Support appropriate concussion management and return to school and play. 

 

This app is especially important because it’s the first of its kind to provide such comprehensive support for concussion management. The Concussion Navigator aims to empower families to take charge of concussion care and improve outcomes for youth across the state.

What is the Concussion Navigator App?

General Concussion Navigator

The Concussion Navigator app is the go-to resource for parents and youth in Michigan to navigate concussion care. This app provides clear, step-by-step guidance for managing concussions, from recognizing and tracking symptoms, seeking care through specialists, and providing information on return to school and play. It incorporates evidence-based practices, making it simple for families to understand concussion care and make informed decisions.

After a diagnosis of a concussion, what are the top things that a child should do to begin concussion management?

General

After a diagnosis, a journey of concussion management starts. 

First, REMOVE the child from any activities where they could hit their head again. This includes sports, playing at home, PE class, and recess at school. This is very important because getting a second head injury while still healing can cause serious brain damage or even death. A team of different experts will help decide when it is safe to return to these activities. A healthcare provider (HCP) makes the final decision for "clearance".

Next, REDUCE thinking and social activities. Do not stop them completely, just lower how much the child does. Being too strict can make a child feel angry, sad, or frustrated. Lower expectations and keep things simple.

Phones, video games, computers, and TV may be limited for the first 48 hours. After that, it is better to reduce use instead of completely restricting it, based on research.

Let the child REST for a few days, but start getting back to normal routines after 1–2 days. This can include going to school, spending time with family and friends, doing light reading, some homework, or watching TV. Just avoid risky physical activities.

Keeping a child alone in a dark room is no longer recommended by research.

What are some questions to ask a provider as concussion management continues?

A concussion is not something that can be quickly “diagnosed” and then “cleared” after a set amount of time. It needs careful management. This means help from a healthcare provider, the school, the parent or guardian, and the patient. Everyone needs to share information over several days or weeks.

After the first shock of the diagnosis, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider. Here are some questions people may want to ask during the first visits. You can also check the “Learn” section of the app for answers to some of these questions.

Initial Education 

  • What is a concussion?

Symptom Management

  • What symptoms should I watch for at home?
  • How long will the symptoms last?
  • How should symptoms be managed at home?
  • Are there any symptoms that concern you?
  • Are there any risks with taking over-the-counter pain medications (Tylenol, Advil, etc.) after a concussion?
  • Is there any medication or treatment recommended for symptoms like headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or trouble sleeping?
  • What should I do if the symptoms get worse over the next few days?
  • How can I tell which symptoms or the severity of symptoms are expected during recovery and which ones may indicate a more serious problem?
  • What are signs that a child is improving?

Activities 

  • What activities should my child avoid?
  • What activities are physically safe?
  • Can I go to sleep with a concussion?
  • Can I use electronics with a concussion?
  • Are there any cognitive or physical activities that might help with recovery?

Return to School 

  • When is it appropriate to return to school? Should they return full-time?
  • Will they need academic adjustments when they return to school? Which do you recommend?
  • How do you help with any communication/academic suggestions to the school? Do you have any printed materials regarding concussion management that I can take home with me or to share with the teacher?
  • Can I sign a Release of Information here so you can communicate with the school and the school can communicate with you?
  • Who do you like to coordinate your thoughts and recommendations to at the school? The school nurse? The counselor?

Return to Sport

  • What are the risks of returning to play?  
  • When is it appropriate to return to sports after having a concussion?
  • Will they need special physical accommodation when they return to sports?
  • Can you describe the steps of progression to return to physical activities during concussion recovery?
  • Can you start any physical activity while symptoms are still present after a concussion?

Ongoing Care 

  • Knowing this is management, when should the next follow-up appointment be?  
  • Should we see a specialist? What kind of specialist? Will insurance cover these types of visits?
  • Are there any long term problems that could happen because of this concussion?
  • How can I contact you if I have questions or concerns between visits?
  • Are there support groups or resources for patients with my condition?
  • How can my family or caregivers support my recovery process?

Insurance