A speech-language pathologist (SLP) may seem like an odd choice for concussion assessment and treatment- after all, you’re talking just fine! However, SLPs are trained in cognition (including attention, memory, organization, and executive functioning) and how deficits in these areas impact daily functioning in thinking, learning, and communication. Some SLPs may further specialize in these areas and receive additional training and ongoing education. For patients experiencing cognitive symptoms following a concussion, SLPs play a crucial role in the recovery process by assessing deficits and creating a tailored treatment plan to address patient needs.

Returning to school following a concussion can feel daunting. Though significant research has been done on the “Return to Play” protocols assisting student-athletes with safely rejoining practices and game play, the research on safely and effectively returning to school is less well established.

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can impact a person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being as well as sleep. When most of us picture a concussion, we think of contact injuries - two soccer players knocking their heads together, a football player being tackled, or a child falling from playground equipment and hitting their head on the ground.