Hi Joe's Mom,

I am sorry to hear about your son. I think that you should make him feel comfortable and loved and don't put him under any sort of pressure to do stuff.

Critical is to make sure that he doesn't do any activities that might give him a second injury to the brain while he is still recovering.

I had a concussion at that age and it took months before I was fully over it, but I did get there in the end. I would just give him a peaceful environment to heal in and let nature take its course, supplemented by good nutrition and maybe a few dietary supplements.

I would make sure that he isn't bothered by other kids or siblings. Having them playing around him might make him feel worse.

Every brain injury is different, so you will just have to ask him if certain things are making him feel worse.

Personally, I have had no problems watching TV, in fact I find that it helps because it keeps your head in one position and it is quite passive. So, if he wants to do certain things, just ask him how he feels and say that if something is making him feel worse then he should stop. Don't let any other kids pressure him into playing things though. They don't have a brain injury so they will always be up for anything. You need to protect him from those sort of influences.

In other words, give him space to get better.

Hope it works. I have confidence in the plasticity of younger brains. Having had serious concussions as a kid and in middle age, it sure seems like younger brains can recover better.

All the best.
CS