Does My Child Have an mTBI?
Children are walking head injury machines. They run, jump, slide, stumble, crash, and fight in places where they definitely shouldn’t. They hit their heads frequently, and even the most attentive parents can’t catch every incident.
When a young child has a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), also known as a concussion, he or she might struggle to verbalize it. Even scarier, children have developing brains, which means they are more susceptible to permanent damage than an adult. It’s vital for children to get evaluated and treated ASAP.
There are a few ways to detect a head injury that your child is unaware of or unable to verbalize.
Look for changes in personality, behavior, energy, irritability, and clumsiness. In my experience, moms know best. If your gut says mTBI, go with your gut. Recognize that negative or antisocial behavior might be related to an injury versus mental health.
Have you noticed a change in grades or habits? A child who begins to struggle with reading or math after an mTBI might not realize why school seems more difficult.
Different sized pupils or otherwise weird-looking eyes? It’s a giveaway, but not always present.
Skin tone changes. You’re looking for an unnatural darkening, lightening, or coloration of the skin.
Short-term memory changes. Notice if your child struggles to remember new information like homework assignments, play dates, and weekend plans.
When your child shows any of these symptoms, ask the question: Did you hit your head recently? Whether you get a yes or no, consider bringing your child in for an evaluation. He or she may be suffering a different neurological conditions that resembles an mTBI.
Dr. Jake Shores
Chiropractic Neurologist
Park City, Utah
