Pediatric ICU physician here:
Really like what @booper posted
Biggest thing is that every kid is different, and some really good studies have shown that management needs to be tailored to symptoms - if you try to say that everyone should take 3 days at stage one and 3 days at stage two, then some get undertreated and others get overtreated, both situations lead to longer than necessary treatment phases.
Your pediatrician should be able to work with you and the school to get the accomodations he needs.
I’m sure other people can attest to this, but the AP exams can be taken next year too (at least back in the old days circa 2000 they could).
@Bigredmed
Absolutely the AP exams can be taken next year…BUT this student wants a bump in his GPA which he gets for taking that exam as part of the completion of the AP courses now.
But really…that GPA bump is not as important as the health issue…and the parent knows this.
Is the appointment with a concussion specialist today?
The appt with Neuropsychologist is on Friday. They were able to squeeze us in sooner. It was for next week originally. I informed the school that he will NOT be able to take the AP exam per Doctors orders. Hopefully they will still honor the GPA boost considering the circumstances. It’s the Principals decision. Keeping fingers crossed. He will be able to take the exam next year. He really wants to because he knows he will do well on it. His AP Lang teacher told him she knows he would at least get a 3 on it if he took it with the concussion because he is one of her rock star students. Health comes first. He is still not able to go to school. Hoping he will get back soon.
Update…Neuropsych appt went awesome. Son is almost completely healed and doing much much better. Wow that was a very scary two weeks and I thought for sure he was going to end up depressed and on meds. So grateful he is feeling more like himself again. He was able to go to school for 3 classes which was a great achievement. Also…he was not able to take the AP Lang test but considering the circumstances the school is still going to give him the GPA boost. He is so relieved. We also got a letter from the school that he is getting an award on in 2 weeks and I can hardly wait to see what it will be! Feeling very thankful…
Thanks for sharing your story and its progress. A lot of posters jumped in with really great information.
So happy for you all - whew!
So sorry. Is this his first concussion?
Here is my advice: this is a brain injury and it means slowing down. Put that brain first. If his grades suffer, so be it. If it means a gap year is in his future, so be it. Don’t do more than the injured brain allows. That is the path to the quickest recovery.
Judging from my experience: You will know he is truly better when he loses that flatness and gets his old “sparkle” back. Until then, you should expect to feel anxious all the time.
Yes it was first concussion and he is much much better now, even back to being annoyed by everyone. Ha Ha… Thank you 