Your child took a hit on the soccer field, tumbled off the playground, or was involved in a car accident — and now something feels off. Maybe they have a headache that won't quit, or they seem quieter than usual. Maybe they're more tearful, more irritable, or struggling to keep up in school.

As a parent, your instincts are telling you that something isn't quite right, and you're absolutely correct to pay attention.

Concussions are one of the most common childhood injuries — and one of the most misunderstood. While many people associate concussions with a loss of consciousness, the truth is that most children who sustain a concussion never black out at all. That means it's very easy for a concussion to go unrecognized, unaddressed, and untreated.

At Harvest Counseling & Wellness, we work with children and families navigating the emotional and psychological side of recovery — and we know firsthand how much of the healing process happens beyond the physical symptoms. This guide will walk you through what to watch for, when to get help, and how to set your child up for a complete recovery.

What Exactly Is a Concussion?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head — or a hit to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement causes the brain to bounce or twist inside the skull, temporarily disrupting normal brain function.

The key word is temporarily. Most children make a full recovery from a concussion, especially when the injury is properly recognized and managed. The brain does not show structural damage on standard imaging like a CT scan or MRI, which is why symptoms — and parent awareness — become the primary tools for diagnosis and monitoring.

Concussions can happen to children of any age, from toddlers learning to walk to high school athletes competing in contact sports. Falls are the leading cause in young children, while sports-related impacts are more common in older kids and teens.

Physical Symptoms: What You May See and Hear

Physical symptoms are often the first signs parents notice after a head injury. According to the CDC's HEADS UP program, common physical concussion symptoms in children include:

• Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head — This is the most frequently reported symptom. It may start immediately or develop over hours.

• Nausea or vomiting — Some vomiting immediately after impact can be normal, but repeated vomiting is a red flag.

• Dizziness or balance problems — Your child may seem unsteady on their feet, wobble when walking, or complain of feeling "off."

• Sensitivity to light or noise — Bright lights, loud environments, or even normal household noise may become overwhelming.

• Blurry or double vision — Visual disturbances can occur and should always be reported to a doctor.

• Fatigue and low energy — Your child may seem unusually tired, sluggish, or want to sleep more than normal.

• Numb or tingling sensations — Some children report tingling in their face, arms, or legs.

It's important to note that these symptoms may not show up immediately. In some cases, physical symptoms develop or intensify in the 24 to 48 hours following the injury — which is why close monitoring during this window is so critical.

Cognitive Symptoms: When the Brain Isn't Working the Way It Should

The brain is your child's most important tool for learning, thinking, and engaging with the world. After a concussion, many children experience significant disruption in cognitive function, which can look like:

• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention — Your child may seem "zoned out," have trouble following conversations, or struggle to stay on task with schoolwork.

• Memory problems — They may not remember events leading up to or following the injury. They might forget things they learned recently or ask the same questions repeatedly.

• Slowed thinking and processing — Answers come more slowly. Instructions need to be repeated. Simple tasks take longer than they used to.

• Feeling "foggy" or confused — Many children describe this as feeling like they are "in a fog" or that everything feels strange and unfamiliar.

• Difficulty with reading or screen time — The visual and cognitive demands of reading, video games, and screen-based schoolwork can significantly worsen symptoms.

These cognitive symptoms can be especially frustrating for school-age children and teens, who may feel embarrassed about falling behind academically or confused by sudden changes in their ability to learn. Reassure your child that this is a normal part of healing — not a permanent change.

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms of concussions

This is where many families feel caught off guard. After a concussion, children and adolescents can experience a significant shift in their emotional state and behavior — and these changes are every bit as real as the physical ones.

According to Children's Hospital Colorado, emotional and behavioral symptoms after a concussion can include:

• Irritability or a short fuse — Your usually patient child may become easily frustrated, snappy, or prone to emotional outbursts.

• Increased tearfulness or crying — More emotional than usual, especially over small things.

• Anxiety or nervousness — New or heightened worry, especially about returning to the activity that caused the injury.

• Sadness or depressed mood — Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or a loss of interest in things they used to enjoy.

• Social withdrawal — Pulling away from friends, avoiding activities, or not wanting to go back to school.

• Personality changes — Your child may seem unlike themselves — quieter, angrier, or more distant.

Why does this happen? Some emotional symptoms are directly related to the neurological disruption caused by the concussion. But many are indirectly related — they stem from the frustration of being sidelined, the loss of a sense of control, the stress of falling behind in school, or the fear of being reinjured.

Children who played competitive sports may grieve losing their team identity and physical outlet. Teens may feel isolated from their peers or anxious about what the injury means for their future. These feelings are valid and deserve attention.

If your child's emotional symptoms are severe, are getting worse, or persist beyond the first few weeks, prompt behavioral health support is strongly recommended.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Most concussions are not life-threatening — but some head injuries are more serious, and it's essential for every parent to know the warning signs that require immediate emergency care.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if your child experiences:

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)

• Seizures or convulsions — shaking, twitching, or staring episodes

• A headache that keeps getting worse and does not improve with rest or over-the-counter medication

• Repeated vomiting

• One pupil larger than the other

• Slurred speech

• Extreme confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior

• Inability to wake up, or excessive drowsiness

• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in arms or legs

• Loss of balance or inability to walk normally

These symptoms may indicate bleeding or increased pressure in the brain — a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. When in doubt, always seek care. As the saying goes: "If in doubt, sit it out."

Even if the injury seems minor, it is always a good idea to contact your child's pediatrician after any head injury to determine whether a medical evaluation is necessary.

Concussion Recovery Tips

The good news is that with appropriate care and management, most children make a full recovery from a concussion. Here is how you can support that process at home.

1. Prioritize Rest — But Not Complete Isolation

In the first 24 to 48 hours after a concussion, physical and cognitive rest is important. This means limiting screen time (phones, tablets, TV, video games), reducing schoolwork demands, and avoiding strenuous activity. However, total rest in a dark room is no longer considered the standard approach. Light, enjoyable, low-stimulation activities — like quiet reading or a gentle walk — are generally fine if they do not worsen symptoms.

2. Manage Screen Time Carefully

Screens are one of the most common triggers for worsening symptoms. The visual and cognitive demands of digital devices can significantly set back recovery. Limiting screen time in the early days after injury is one of the most effective things you can do.

3. Return to School Gradually

According to the CDC, most children can return to school within one to two days of a concussion — but this does not mean returning to a full workload right away. Work with your child's school to create a concussion management plan that may include:

• Reduced assignments and extended deadlines

• Extra time on tests

• Permission to rest or visit the nurse as needed

• A quiet space to work if noise is bothersome

• Printed notes instead of screen-based materials

A gradual return is far better than rushing back and experiencing a setback.

4. Return to Sports and Physical Activity Slowly

No child should return to contact sports or high-risk physical activity until they have been cleared by a healthcare provider. Children's Healthcare of Atlanta recommends a six-stage return-to-play program that begins with complete rest and gradually reintroduces activity — only advancing to the next stage if symptoms do not worsen. Returning to sports too soon, especially to contact sports, carries the risk of a second concussion, which can have far more serious and long-lasting consequences.

5. Communicate With Your Child

Talk openly with your child about what happened and what they are experiencing. Reassure them that their symptoms are real, that they are not "going crazy," and that they will get better. Children who feel heard and supported often recover more smoothly than those who feel dismissed or pressured to bounce back quickly.

6. Watch for Signs of Post-Concussion Syndrome

For most children, symptoms resolve within a few weeks. When symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery window — typically more than three to four weeks — this is known as post-concussion syndrome. If your child's symptoms are lingering or worsening, contact their healthcare provider for a follow-up evaluation and consider seeking additional support.

How Therapy Can Support Your Child's Concussion Recovery

A concussion is not just a physical event — it affects how your child thinks, feels, and sees themselves in the world. That is why mental health support can be an important part of a whole-child recovery approach.

At Harvest Counseling & Wellness, we offer compassionate, trauma-informed therapy for children starting at age three, and we understand how unsettling a head injury can be for the whole family. Our therapists can help:

• Process the emotional impact of the injury, including fear, frustration, and grief over missed activities

• Address anxiety related to returning to sports or the activities that caused the injury

• Support children who are experiencing prolonged mood changes, withdrawal, or signs of depression

• Provide play therapy for younger children who lack the verbal language to express what they are feeling

• Guide parents in how to best support their child emotionally during recovery

We take a faith-grounded, whole-person approach to healing — because we believe your child is more than their symptoms, and recovery is more than the absence of pain.

You Don't Have to Navigate Concussions Alone

Watching your child struggle after a concussion can feel overwhelming and uncertain. But you do not have to figure this out by yourself.

If you are concerned about your child's emotional wellbeing after a head injury — or if symptoms are lingering longer than expected — we invite you to reach out to our team at Harvest Counseling & Wellness. We serve families in Argyle, Denton, Flower Mound, Roanoke, Southlake, Northlake, and surrounding areas.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support your child's full concussion recovery.