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Developmental Considerations in Pediatric Concussion Evaluation and Management

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Pediatric and Adolescent Concussion

Abstract

Evaluation and management of concussion in the child and adolescent requires a developmentally appropriate clinical model, emphasizing key factors relevant to the injury manifestation and needs of the child. This chapter presents a model for clinical evaluation and management of concussion in children and adolescents at the acute and postacute stages. Multiple methods and informants are incorporated with the evaluation guided by the specific goals and timing of the service in relation to the injury. Appropriate assessment and intervention tools are discussed for each stage, as well as reasons for referral for additional levels of care. The fundamental components of a pediatric concussion evaluation include the following: definition of injury characteristics; history of premorbid and postinjury risk factors; assessment of current neurocognitive functioning, postconcussion symptoms, and balance; and examination of social–emotional functioning. Different disciplines contribute to the evaluation and management of pediatric concussion. The concept of the concussion generalist and specialist service is introduced with suggested requisite training, skills, and knowledge to evaluate and manage the full range of complexity of pediatric concussion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology, Director Safe Concussion Outcome Recovery and Education (SCORE) Program, Washington, USA

    Gerard A. Gioia (Associate Professor)

  2. Departments of Pediatric and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

    Gerard A. Gioia (Associate Professor) & Christopher G. Vaughan (Assistant Professor)

  3. Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, USA

    Christopher G. Vaughan (Assistant Professor)

  4. Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    Maegan D. S. Sady

Authors
  1. Gerard A. Gioia
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  2. Christopher G. Vaughan
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  3. Maegan D. S. Sady
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gerard A. Gioia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral, Medical College of Wisconsin, N 118th Street 2544, Wauwatosa, 53226, Wisconsin, USA

    Jennifer Niskala Apps

  2. Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Departments of Orthopaedics & Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9000 W. Wisconsin Avenue Suite C360, Milwaukee, 53201, Wisconsin, USA

    Kevin D. Walter

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Gioia, G.A., Vaughan, C.G., Sady, M.D.S. (2012). Developmental Considerations in Pediatric Concussion Evaluation and Management. In: Apps, J., Walter, K. (eds) Pediatric and Adolescent Concussion. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-89545-1_12

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