Kids healing from concussions or brain surgery often face hidden struggles with balance and vision. These issues can make it hard to focus in class, keep up on the playground, or even walk around safely. This session covers what these signs look like, why doctors sometimes miss them, and how families can get the right testing and therapy to help their child recover.If you've ever felt "sea legs" after getting off a boat or felt dizzy after spinning in circles, you've experienced these systems in action.
Terms and phrases that will be discussed in this session:
1. Vestibular (The Balance System)
Think of the vestibular system as your body’s internal GPS and level. It is located in the inner ear and tells your brain where your head is in space.
- What it does: It helps you keep your balance while walking on uneven ground and tells you if you are moving up, down, or sideways.
- When it’s "off": A child might feel dizzy, nauseated, or unsteady. They might seem clumsy or get motion sickness more easily than usual.
2. Oculomotor (The Eye-Movement System)
"Oculo" means eye, and "motor" means movement. This system involves the muscles and nerves that allow your eyes to work together as a team.
- What it does: It allows you to track a moving ball, shift your gaze from a notebook up to a whiteboard, and read a line of text without losing your place.
- When it’s "off": A child might see double, experience blurry vision, or get headaches when reading. They might "skip" lines while reading or find it exhausting to look at screens or bright lights.
Session times are placeholders for now. Final times will be set once we confirm clinician schedules.
