Clinical report: Students may need school break after concussion

This clinical report for the AAP is greatly needed, as the topic of return to learning (RTL) after concussion has been inadequately addressed. It is rare for school personnel and teachers to understand how concussion negatively impacts the injured student. This can cause a potential drop in grades and significant stress, which may delay recovery. Thankfully, many schools and athletic organizations have created plans to help injured athletes return to play, but now student-athletes will benefit from a complementary plan dedicated to returning to academics.

RTL is not a new topic for schools, as many have created plans for other conditions such as chronic illnesses or learning disorders. This report provides a framework that schools can use to create their own RTL plan.

The example put forth by Dr. Mark E. Halstead and his colleagues is a program that has been used successfully in several states. While the components of any good plan are similar, each school may tailor an RTL program to its unique academic needs.

Further research is still needed in order to help validate this program and to identify which academic adjustments are most beneficial to the concussed student-athlete.

Dr. Kevin D. Walter is associate professor of orthopedic surgery and pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and serves on the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Sports-Related Concussions in Youth.