Izzy’s Journey to Recovery and Triumph

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2022, 2.3 million children and adolescents had received a concussion or brain injury at some point in their life. Fortunately, we know that most concussion symptoms resolve within 30 days. However, during this recovery period proactive measures are needed to ensure school-aged children are supported academically while they are experiencing symptoms. This is the purpose of an Immediate Temporary Accommodations Plan (ITAP). An ITAP describes the academic accommodations that a school will put in place for a student who has been diagnosed with a concussion or other brain injury.

The aim of the ITAP is clear: a temporary injury should never disrupt a student’s academic achievements or future aspirations. In 2021 Oregon enacted Return to School legislation, which requires Oregon schools to develop and implement an ITAP.  Izzy’s story serves as a powerful testament to this legislation.

Izzy’s Journey to Recovery and Triumph

Izzy, a senior honor student and standout lacrosse player, faced an unexpected challenge during her final year of high school. In October, she sustained a concussion during a game, resulting in debilitating symptoms such as severe headaches, vestibular issues, and difficulty with attention and focus. Recognizing the seriousness of her condition, Izzy's physician prescribed specific academic accommodations and urged her school to implement these supports until she could safely return to her studies.

The School Brain Injury Education Support Team (BEST Team) quickly sprang into action. Days before Izzy’s return to school, they developed a detailed ITAP. Teachers and staff adhered strictly to this plan, ensuring Izzy could gradually reintegrate into the classroom environment without exacerbating her symptoms.

After nearly 60 days, Izzy’s symptoms began to fade, marking a turning point in her journey. That spring, she not only graduated with honors but stepped confidently into the next chapter of her life, empowered and ready for the future. But consider this: what might have become of Izzy had the BEST Team not intervened with vital academic accommodations during such a vulnerable and pivotal moment? Without their support, Izzy’s story could have been vastly different—a poignant reminder of the life-changing impact of an Immediate Temporary Accommodations Plan.