GRTSchool Strategy
Concussion may affect the ability to learn in school. Athletes may need some rest from school at the start of the recovery period. This may include some changes in their school schedule or time concentration. If the particular activity makes symptoms worse, then the athlete should stop that activity and rest until the symptoms get better.
If mental activity does not cause symptoms, the athlete may be able to skip step 2 and return to school part-time before doing school activities at home first.
The GRTSchool programme contains four distinct stages:
- The first stage is typical activities that do not give the athlete any symptoms
- The next two stages are relate to progressive school activities at home and then at school
- Stage 4 is a return to full academic activities
If the athlete continues to have symptoms with mental activity some other accommodations may be considered.
The athlete should not go back to sports until they are back to school/learning, without symptoms getting significantly worse and no longer needing any changes in schedule.
| Mental Activity | Activity each step | Goal of each step |
| 1. Daily activities that do not give the athlete symptoms | Typical activities that the athlete does during the day as long as they do not increase symptoms (e.g. reading, texting, screen time). Start with 5-15 minutes at a time and gradually build up. | Gradual return to typical activities. |
| 2. School activities | Homework, reading or other cognitive activities outside of the classroom. | Increase tolerance to cognitive work. |
| 3. Return to school part-time | Gradual introduction of school-work. May need to start with a partial school day of with increased breaks during the day. | Increase academic activites. |
| 4. Return to school full-time | Gradually progress school activities until a full day can be tolerated. | Return to full academic activities and catch up on missed work. |