Pediatric Sports Concussion

Our approach to sports concussion care for children and teens

Our concussion specialists use the latest, evidence-based guidelines to help children return safely to school, sports and everyday activities.

Concussion evaluation and baseline testing

Each child receives a comprehensive concussion evaluation to assess symptoms, such as headaches, nausea and sleep problems. We also review your child's medical and concussion history and discuss their risk for future concussions.

Concussion testing includes:

• Vestibular ocular motor screening. Checks how well the brain, inner ear and eyes work together to support balance, movement, tracking and focus

• Balance assessment. Measures stability when standing, walking and moving

• Neurocognitive testing. Assesses memory, concentration and thinking skills

We also offer baseline testing for athletes who are at risk of a concussion or have had multiple concussions. This computerized neurocognitive assessment measures specific brain functions, such as reaction time and hand-eye coordination.

If your child has a concussion, baseline results provide a reference point for comparing post-concussion results. This helps us guide your child's recovery and safe return to play.

Concussion management

The latest concussion management guidelines emphasize early, active recovery instead of complete rest. Our team creates an individualized plan for your child to gradually return to noncontact activities. We follow their recovery until they are cleared to return to their sport.

Our team helps manage your child's concussion symptoms, which could include:

• Activity intolerance

• Dizziness or balance problems

• Fatigue

• Headaches

• Mood changes

• Nausea

• Sleep disturbances

Physical therapy is often an important part of recovering from a concussion. We can refer your child to sports physical therapists who specialize in concussion recovery care at UCSF locations throughout the Bay Area.

Our program also follows the latest return-to-learn guidelines to support your child in the classroom. We work with teachers to provide recommendations for accommodations, which may include shorter school days, extra breaks or a reduced workload.

If your child's concussion isn't sports-related or they aren't planning to return to sports, they may receive care through our pediatric neurology program. Teens who are close to age 18 or older may be referred to our general neurology program, which provides care for adults. Your child's pediatrician or primary care doctor can help you determine which program is the best fit for concussion care.