Talking to your child and others about a bump to the head

Fatigue

• - A feeling of constant tiredness or weakness; more than feeling sleepy or drowsy
• - Concentrating may be difficult
• - May be irritable with friends or family
• - May struggle to stay awake, or may daydream
• - May not want to participate in any activities.

Feeling confused

• - May find it hard to read a story from start to finish – and reading out loud may be difficult.
• - It may be difficult to focus on a conversation or task if there are other distractions.
• - May have difficulties in listening to other people, particularly if they are completing another task, such as reading or writing, at the same time.
• - May be slower, or may struggle, to take in and process information.
   

Difficulties with language and communication

• - May find it hard to organise words into sentences, start a conversation, or follow the unspoken ‘rules’ of conversation, such as taking turns or staying on the same topic.
• - May get muddled when they are trying to follow someone else’s conversation. Or they may understand what others are saying perfectly well, but might struggle to express what they would like to say.
• - May be very quiet or non-verbal. It’s important to remember that communication doesn’t only mean speaking and some children may use eye contact, gesture or expression to get their message across.
   

Memory loss

• - May find it difficult to recall what they did the day or week before
• - May find it difficult to retain instructions
• - May forget names of friends or family.
   

Emotions

• - May be irritable or frustrated by noise or interruptions
• - May make inappropriate or tactless remarks or laugh inappropriately
• - May feel low in mood or cry more easily than usual.
   

Physical difficulties

• - Sickness
• - Balance
• - Headaches and/or
• - Nausea.