Assess 

the 

situation

Be alert for 

signs and 

symptoms 

Contact a 

health care 

professional

 

 

 

A Fact Sheet for Teachers, Counselors,

and School Professionals

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a type of brain injury that changes the

way the brain normally works. A concussion is caused

by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can

also occur from a fall or blow to the body that causes

the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. 

Even what seems to be a mild bump to the head can 

be serious. 

Children and adolescents are among those at greatest

risk for concussion. The potential for a concussion is

greatest during activities where collisions can 

occur, such as during physical education (PE) class,

playground time, or school-based sports activities.

However, concussions can happen any time a student’s

head comes into contact with a hard object, such as a

floor, desk, or another student’s head or body. Proper

recognition and response to concussion can prevent

further injury and help with recovery.

The FacTs:

* All concussions are

serious.

* Most concussions occur

without loss of

consciousness.

* Recognition and proper

response to concussions

when they first occur

can help aid recovery

and prevent further

injury, or even death.

To download this fact sheet in Spanish, please visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion.

Para obtener una copia electrónica de esta hoja de información en español, por

favor visite: www.cdc.gov/Concussion.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

May 2010
What are the signs and symptoms of concussion? 

The signs and symptoms of concussion can

show up right after an injury or may not

appear or be noticed until hours or days

after the injury. Be alert for any of the

following signs or symptoms. Also, watch 

for changes in how the student is acting or

feeling, if symptoms are getting worse, or if

the student just “doesn’t feel right.”

SIGNS OBSERVED BY TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS

• Appears dazed or stunned

• Is confused about events

• Answers questions slowly

• Repeats questions

• Can’t recall events prior to the hit, bump, or fall

• Can’t recall events after the hit, bump, or fall

• Loses consciousness (even briefly)

• Shows behavior or personality changes

• Forgets class schedule or assignments

SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY THE STUDENT

Thinking/Remembering:

• Difficulty thinking clearly

• Difficulty concentrating or

remembering

• Feeling more slowed down

• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy

Physical:

• Headache or “pressure” in head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Balance problems or dizziness

• Fatigue or feeling tired

• Blurry or double vision

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Numbness or tingling 

• Does not “feel right”

Emotional:

• Irritable

• Sad

• More emotional than usual

• Nervous

Sleep*:

• Drowsy

• Sleeps less than usual

• Sleeps more than usual

• Has trouble falling asleep

*Only ask about sleep symptoms if the injury

occurred on a prior day.
What are concussion 

danger signs?

Be alert for symptoms that worsen over time.

The student should be seen in an emergency

department right away if s/he has:

• One pupil (the black part in the middle 

of the eye) larger than the other

• Drowsiness or cannot be awakened

• A headache that gets worse and does 

not go away

• Weakness, numbness, or decreased

coordination

• Repeated vomiting or nausea

• Slurred speech

• Convulsions or seizures

• Difficulty recognizing people or places

• Increasing confusion, restlessness, 

or agitation

• Unusual behavior

• Loss of consciousness (even a brief 

loss of consciousness should be 

taken seriously)

Children and teens with a

concussion should NEVER return to

sports or recreation activities on the

same day the injury occurred. They

should delay returning to their activities

until a health care professional

experienced in evaluating for concussion

says they are symptom-free and it’s OK

to return to play. This means, until

permitted, not returning to: 

• Physical Education (PE) class, 

• Sports practices or games, or

• Physical activity at recess.

For more information and tool kits for youth

sports coaches and high school coaches, visit

www.cdc.gov/Concussion.

How can I recognize a

concussion?

Teachers and school counselors may be the first

to notice changes in their students. The signs

and symptoms can take time to appear and can

become evident during concentration and

learning activities in the classroom.

Send a student to the school nurse, or another

professional designated to address health issues,

if you notice or suspect that a student has:

1. Any kind of forceful blow to the head or 

to the body that results in rapid movement 

of the head, 

-and2. Any change in the student’s behavior,

thinking, or physical functioning. (See the

signs and symptoms of concussion.)

What do I need to know about 

my students returning to school

after a concussion?

Supporting a student recovering from a

concussion requires a collaborative approach

among school professionals, health care

providers, and parents, as s/he may need

accommodations during recovery. If symptoms

persist, a 504 meeting may be called. Section

504 Plans are implemented when students have

a disability (temporary or permanent) that

affects their performance in any manner. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to look for 

after a concussion

When students return to school after a

concussion, school professionals should

watch for:

• Increased problems paying attention or

concentrating

• Increased problems remembering or

learning new information

• Longer time needed to complete tasks or

assignments

• Difficulty organizing tasks

• Inappropriate or impulsive behavior

during class

• Greater irritability 

• Less ability to copy with stress or more

emotional

Services and accommodations for students may

include speech-language therapy, environmental

adaptations, curriculum modifications, and

behavioral strategies.

Students may need to limit activities while they

are recovering from a concussion. Exercising or

activities that involve a lot of concentration,

such as studying, working on the computer, or

playing video games, may cause concussion

symptoms (such as headache or tiredness) to

reappear or get worse.

Students who return to school after a

concussion may need to:

• Take rest breaks as needed,

• Spend fewer hours at school,

• Be given more time to take tests or 

complete assignments,

• Receive help with schoolwork, and/or

• Reduce time spent on the computer, 

reading, or writing.

It is normal for students to feel frustrated, sad,

and even angry because they cannot return to

recreation or sports right away, or cannot keep

up with their schoolwork. A student may also

feel isolated from peers and social networks.

Talk with the student about these issues and

offer support and encouragement. As the

student’s symptoms decrease, the extra help or

support can be removed gradually.

For more information on concussion and to order additional materials for school

professionals FREE- OF-CHARGE, visit: www.cdc.gov/Concussion.