A concussion or MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) is extremely serious. When a student sustains a concussion, whether through athletic endeavors, recreational activities, or accidents, McDonogh School requires that he/she complete a step-by-step recovery process before resuming normal academic work, physical activity, and school life. Returning to any of these activities too soon may cause concussion symptoms to return. The brain needs time to heal.
Students in the Lower School who sustain a concussion must be seen by a private physician who will be required to complete and share with the school a document called an ACE form. The information on this form will be used by Lower School teachers and learning specialists to plan for any accommodations the injured student might need during the recovery period. For students in fifth and sixth grades, a medical liaison employed at the school will work with the learning specialists to manage the "return to learn" program as directed by a physician.
The recovery process for older students is managed by McDonogh’s Concussion Management Team, which is made up of two groups of people working together. The first is the medical group that includes physicians, athletic trainers, school nurses, and consulting neuropsychologists. The second is the academic group that consists of class deans, advisors, learning specialists, teachers, and school counselors. Teachers are kept well informed of their students' progress and are notified when those students are able to catch up academically. Because all seventh through twelfth graders are required to complete an annual Baseline Test through XLNT Brain, parents may log on to XLNTbrain to track the progress of their child's recovery using the Guardian Instructions.
In the initial stages a student with significant concussion symptoms, full cognitive and physical rest is imperative and expected. NO exercising the body and brain. NO computer screens. NO television. NO homework. NO reading. As symptoms resolve students will ease themselves back to more academic and physical activity under the guidance of our Concussion Management Team.