Paediatric concussion: Knowledge and practices of school speech-language pathologists.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatric Health
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Pediatric concussion management requires specialized knowledge.
• School-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a role in supporting students with brain injuries.
• Current understanding and practices of SLPs regarding concussion are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current knowledge and management practices of US school-based SLPs concerning pediatric concussion.
• To establish a baseline for measuring future changes in SLP training and practices related to concussion.
• To identify areas for improvement in concussion care within schools.

Main Methods:

• A survey was developed to evaluate SLPs' knowledge and management strategies for pediatric concussion.
• Surveys were distributed to 1000 school-based SLPs across 10 US states.
• Data was collected from 280 SLPs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Massachusetts, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, California, and Arizona.

Main Results:

• SLPs reported increased general brain injury training compared to previous surveys.
• Confidence in providing clinical services to brain-injured students remains low among SLPs.
• SLPs demonstrated a mix of accurate and inaccurate concussion knowledge, with uncertainty regarding their specific role in concussion management.

Conclusions:

• Findings indicate a need for enhanced communication among school personnel regarding concussion.
• Increased training in pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion is recommended for SLPs.
• Improved access to assessment tools and implementation of long-term concussion management strategies are crucial for better service delivery to students with concussion.