What is it?
Cognitive fatigue is a unique kind of fatigue, or tiredness. It is a common problem that
can happen after a mild, moderate or severe brain
injury.
When a child has cognitive
fatigue, it means their brain has to work harder to concentrate on
tasks it used to be able to do much more easily before the brain
injury. A child may have trouble concentrating, and may not be able
to think for as long as they used to.
Cognitive fatigue is not
related to a child's intellectual capacity or physical
energy levels. Cognitive fatigue can lead to behavioural
problems, educational difficulties and mood swings.
What are the
symptoms?
- Difficulty maintaining attention
- Poor endurance for tasks involving thinking
- Can concentrate initially but then loses
the ability to concentrate over time
- Behaviour when fresh and rested is very
different to when they are feeling tired
- Child or young person 'gives up' easily on
thinking tasks
- Poor school performance
- Needing more sleep than usual, possibly needing a nap at or after school to get through the
day
- Behavioural difficulties including
hyperactivity, irritability, tearfulness and feeling
miserable
- When a child becomes muddled
- Headaches
- Children/young people tend to 'soldier on' but then become exhausted
- Fatigue accumulates so children may feel
more tired in the afternoon or towards the end of the school
week
- Fatigue can also be associated with feelings
of low self-esteem, worry, depression and anxiety over how they
will perform
When to see a doctor?
Your GP should
see your child and exclude any other medical cause for the fatigue
(for example chronic infections, thyroid problems, anaemia or a heart condition).
What is the
treatment?
Unfortunately, there is no
quick fix. Understanding the problem is the first step. Knowing
that your child is not lazy, naughty or lacking motivation can
reduce the stress for them and you when dealing with their fatigue. Fatigue will
lessen with time as your child's brain injury stabilises, although sometimes
a permanent change to their lifestyle is needed. A well balanced
diet, good sleeping routines and regular exercise are important.
Recognition of fatigue and taking steps to minimise its
effect are also important.
Allow your child to
have the sleep they need
- More sleep either each night or at the
weekends
- Plan for rest breaks throughout the day
Allow 'down
time'
- For example, ask the school not to give assignments during the holidays
- Plan breaks during homework
time to do something physical
Managing academic
workload
- Negotiate a reduced
homework load and establish which homework is the most important for your child to
complete
- Negotiate a reduced
school work load, e.g. one less subject to provide some 'free'
periods when your child can recharge their 'brain
batteries'
- Ask for extra time
to finish assignments
- Arrange for assignments
to be provided at the beginning of term so that your child can
work on them evenly throughout the term
- Apply for consideration with examinations (e.g. rest breaks and extra time) through the
Department of Education
Key points to
remember
- Cognitive fatigue means that a child has
more trouble paying attention for long periods. This does not mean
that they have reduced intellectual abilities or reduced physical
energy.
- A child's mental endurance usually improves
over time, however fatigue can persist.
- If your child is experiencing cognitive
fatigue contact your local doctor to exclude any other possible
causes.
- As your child's brain injury stabilizes,
their cognitive fatigue is likely to reduce.
For more
information
Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Paediatric Rehabilitation Service based on information from the Brain Injury Service at Westmead Children’s Hospital. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed September 2020.
Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit
www.rchfoundation.org.au.