MsRriO,

I completely agree with CC's first two paragraphs. If the doctor who released him to play did not ask him directly and check him for balance, he should not have returned him to play. He should have been challenged with a full neuro status check.

There are two goals in return to play decisions. First, does he have any residual symptoms, especially symptoms that put him at risk of putting himself in danger; lack of balance; lack of cognitive function causing poor decision making; memory struggles, especially visual memory that can cause a disorientation to persons and surrounding (spacial awareness).

The second goal is to try to determine if there is risk of further injury. This is a very difficult issue. The best indicators are things like, how does the player respond to stimulation and activity. For your son, this would have including asking how he is responding to a full active day at school. Return to play is not suggested at all until the player has returned to full participation at school, including reading skills, tolerance of noise and confusion, etc.

You would do well to get Dr Cantu's book, Concussion and Our Kids. Your son will be at greater risk of long term consequences until he is 14 years old. This is due to nerve and myelin development. Then his risk will slowly decrease to match the risk of an adult when he is 20 to 25 years old.

I would not doubt his struggles at school. In my opinion, they are to be expected. He had a busy weekend. Relapse to post concussion symptoms usually has a delay of a day or so.

Slowly return him to school, with ear plugs and other coping mechanisms. A too much recovery time at home is better than too little. You need to be Mama Bear and be strong. He is too young to try to heal under stress or activity.

I know this is an emotional strain on you. Better to be safe than sorry. I don't know about genetic sensitivities for concussions but it is know that each consecutive concussion usually cause more injury from the same or less impact force.

Give him a hug and say, let's stay home for a while so you can get strong.

My best to you.