VANCOUVER — Teachers across Canada can now get advice from a new program to help students returning to school after a concussion.
The online Concussion Awareness Training Tool was developed by sports injury specialist Dr. Shelina Babul at BC Children's Hospital.
Babul says the resource is the first of its kind to provide recommendations about how students can adjust at school after a blow to the head.
Other components of the program have already been used by medical professionals, parents and coaches dealing with children who have suffered a brain injury that can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness and confusion.
Babul says symptoms can occur immediately or days after an injury, with the most serious cases causing brain damage or even death if left unrecognized, though 85 per cent of concussions can be resolved after about two weeks with proper management.
She says teachers and parents often question when it's safe for a child to return to school after a concussion and the online tool was created to help educate them on how to help a child quickly get back to their usual routine.