dcjmonhollon,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear of your son's injury.

I wont try to rehash the mechanism of your son's injury or his treatment since other than one. He should have never been released for Return To Play. The standards for return to play are a complete recovery of all symptoms. He is still sensitive to lights and sound. He has a serious change in personality. He should have not been returned to school so soon. I seriously doubt the skills and judgements of the sports medicine doctor regarding concussions.

I think he needs some serious evaluation by somebody who really understands concussions in a pediatric patient. He may need to be put on an anti-seizure type of medicine to help him settle down. His personality changes put him at risk for another concussion, especially in a fight.

He may benefit from an fMRI, functional MRI. A good specialist should be able to find out what is going on. A diffusion tensor imaging MRI may be able to find an injury.

Sports should be off the table until his personality and academic changes are resolved. Even then, no contact/collision sports should be allowed. I can understand his comments of 'not wanting to go on.' I had similar struggles as a youth. The frustration of PCS as a youth and the injury itself can lead to serious depression. Antidepressants can be very dangerous for people his age so other ways to treat him need to be found. As I said, maybe an anti-seizure med. I was put on phenobarbital and responded well.

His brain is at a very busy maturing stage. This needs to be the primary focus. He needs to be convinced that he needs to be making choices that will be good for his future. This will require lots of help from you and a professional who understands.

If you will post your location, we can try to find referrals to professionals for you to consult.

I can understand your concern. My mother went through the same when I was injured at 10 then again at 15. My wife has watched my personality changes over 30+ years as I have suffered subsequent concussions. btw, I have tried to avoid concussion risks since I was 14 and told to end all contact sports. I had a roller coaster ride of academic struggles that ultimately changed my college direction. There was very little understanding of PCS back then.

With help, you should be able to find much better help for him.

Let us know how we can help.

My best to you.