Concussions and Executive Function Skills- Blog for Parents of Student Athletes

By: Brandon Slade

Photo by Chris Chow on Unsplash

Concussions affect more than just athletic performance — they can also hinder a student-athlete’s ability to think and perform in school. Knowing how brain injuries impact executive functions is key. At Untapped Learning, we help parents understand this connection so they can support their kids effectively. This way, student-athletes can heal without their grades slipping, ensuring they stay on track both on the field and in the classroom.

Understanding Executive Function Skills

Understanding executive function skills is crucial for supporting student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom. These skills are the mental playbook that guides students in managing time, organizing tasks, and executing strategies effectively. Executive functions include:

• Initiation: The ability to start tasks promptly and efficiently.
• Planning: Organizing activities and thoughts to align with end goals.
• Problem Solving: Identifying obstacles and developing tactics to overcome them.
• Reaching Goals: Breaking goals down tasks into smaller, more manageable parts, daily actions, and staying focused on the end goal.

These cognitive abilities are the backbone of student-athletes success. They help them navigate the demands of sports and studies by helping students think ahead, stay organized, and adapt to the challenges of their dual roles.

The Impact of Concussions on Executive Function

A concussion can disrupt the balance of executive function skills, leading to challenges in the classroom and beyond. Imagine navigating a complex puzzle with missing pieces — that’s what it can feel like when a student’s executive function skills are impaired. Below is an in-depth look at what happens to several executive function skills after a concussion.

• Focusing and Comprehending Instructions: Concussions can impair the brain’s ability to process information, making it difficult for students to focus on and understand instructions.
• Managing Multi-Step Tasks: With disrupted cognitive flexibility, transitioning between multiple tasks or steps can become daunting.
• Organizing Thoughts and Prioritizing Tasks: Effective organization relies on prioritizing information, from unimportant to very important. After a concussion, a small Math homework assignment and a Spanish final exam may seem equally important to the student.
• Time Management: Concussions can affect a student’s ability to estimate the time required for tasks, potentially leading to poor time management.
• Decision-Making: Impaired judgment and decision-making are common as students struggle to assess situations and determine appropriate responses.

These impairments can lead to being easily overwhelmed by school, shutting down, and unable to keep pace with their peers.

Academic Challenges and Strategies for Support

It’s important to be aware that concussions can lead to specific academic challenges, such as issues with time management, attention, organization, and self-regulation. Here are proactive approaches you can take to ensure they have the support they need to overcome these challenges.

• Break tasks into smaller steps: Help your child divide projects into manageable tasks to reduce overwhelming feelings.
• Create a quiet study environment: Provide a comfortable, distraction-free study space.
• Limit screen time: Reduce eye strain and fatigue by limiting screen time and adjusting settings for comfort.
• Encourage regular breaks: Help your child take short breaks to manage fatigue and improve productivity.
• Focus on the process and not the product: Praise your child’s effort and progress, not just their grades or results.

Remember that the challenges associated with concussions are temporary. With the right strategies and support, your child can return to their previous academic performance and develop stronger resilience and coping skills for the future.

Working with Schools and Teachers

As a parent, you’re not alone in supporting your child’s recovery and academic success. Schools and teachers must provide accommodations and/or modifications to help students recover after a brain injury.

• Academic Accommodations: Talk with school officials about providing reduced or shorter assignments, extended time for tasks, breaks during the day, and the option for an alternative assignment.
• Provide Medical Documentation: After the concussion, provide the information and recommendations from the medical provider so all staff know your child’s needs and can provide appropriate support.
• Return-to-School Plan: Work collaboratively with the school to create a plan that gradually reintegrates your child into their full academic routine, tailored to their recovery progress and specific needs.

Collaboration with the school will help your child manage their academic responsibilities while they recover, ensuring they have the support they need from all sides.

Additional Resources

While in the recovery process, consider engaging a specialized coach or mentor to help your child develop personalized strategies for managing their academic workload.

Summary

To aid your child’s recovery from a concussion, remember to be patient, adaptable, and empathetic. Recognizing how concussions affect executive functions will provide a better understanding of your student’s behavior. By using appropriate strategies, you can assist your child in navigating academic difficulties and succeeding as a student-athlete. Ensure you work closely with your child’s school and teachers, and don’t hesitate to pursue extra resources if necessary.

Need help managing the demands of school after a concussion? Visit Untapped Learning for more information.

For More:

Cognitive Changes in Executive Functioning After ConcussionAcademic Outcomes and Accommodations Following Adolescent Sport-Related ConcussionEffects of a Concussion During the School Year on the Academic Performance of High School Athletes