A concussion is a mild brain injury which can lead to a range of uncomfortable – though temporary – symptoms.
These injuries can be experienced during sports involvement, as a result of falls, in motor vehicle accidents, and in any other situation in which the brain is “jostled” as the result of a sudden acceleration or deceleration. No permanent damage occurs to the brain and it eventually returns to normal functioning. Most individuals who experience a concussion recover uneventfully over a period of days to weeks, sometimes a few months. Occasionally, the course of recovery is slower than expected, which can lead to challenges at work or school, as well as emotional difficulties.
At North Shore Neuropsychology, we can provide guidance in the early stages following a concussion, as well as assistance for those individuals who are not recovering as quickly as expected. Early management of concussion is focused on education about what to expect, advice on coping with symptoms, assistance in planning a gradual return to activities, and appropriate symptomatic treatment (e.g., physiotherapy, vestibular treatment, headache management). Neuropsychological testing is also useful in some cases, to help clarify cognitive status, to guide an appropriate return to school or work, and to help direct other aspects of care.
Our concussion services include the following:
- FREE 15-minute phone consultation for advice and information.
- In-person consultation and educational session ($895). This session is approximately 90 minutes and includes a brief report to provide to a school, employer, or physician.
- Concussion Clinic Evaluation ($1895). Includes a one hour interview and two hours of face-to-face neuropsychological testing; a report describing current cognitive functioning and recommended strategies, to provide to a school, employer, or physician; and a one hour feedback session to review the results and recommendations.
- Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation ($3495). In certain situations, a full-day assessment may be necessary in order to fully understand the variables involved in a complex concussion case. These evaluations cover a much broader scope of functions – including academics, as necessary – and result in a comprehensive report suitable for use in a wide range of contexts.
*Please note that concussion evaluations performed in a medicolegal context are a different service and are conducted and billed differently, detailed under the Forensic Evaluations section of the Services page.