A stroke (brain attack) occurs when something blocks blood supply to part of the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. When this happens, parts of the brain become damaged or die. A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability, or even death (CDC, 2021).

Depending on the child’s stage of development, here are some key words you can use when explaining stroke to children:
• Stroke – when blood stops flowing to part of the brain
• Brain – the organ inside your head that controls all the parts of the body
• Organ – part of the body, like the heart, lungs, or brain, that helps keep your body working

There are three main types of stroke:

  1. Ischemic stroke (Clots) – When blood flow through the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain becomes blocked. Blood clots often cause the blockages that lead to ischemic strokes (Types of stroke, 2021). Ischemic stroke represents over 80% of all strokes.
  2. Hemorrhagic stroke (Bleeds) – Happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures (breaks open). The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them (CDC, 2021). High blood pressure is a major risk factor for hemorrhagic stroke.
  3. Transient ischemic attack (TIA, a warning or “mini-stroke”) – Occurs when a blockage prevents blood flow to the brain for a very short time — usually no more than 5 minutes (Types of stroke, 2021). A TIA is a sign of a future stroke.

According to the American Stroke Foundation, the signs and symptoms of a stroke include:
• Sudden numbness
• Sudden confusion
• Sudden trouble seeing
• Sudden trouble walking
• Sudden severe headache

The American Stroke Foundation highlight ways to act FAST, stop stroke signs, and call 911.

  1. F – Face
    • Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
  2. A – Arms
    • Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
  3. S – Speech
    • Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
  4. T – Time
    • If you see any of these signs, call 911.

Stroke Facts from the Stroke Foundation
• Nearly 15 million people are affected by stroke worldwide.
• More than 80% of strokes are preventable with lifestyle changes.
• 1 in 4 strokes are in someone who has previously had a stroke.
• Every 40 seconds someone in the Unites States has a stroke.

Resources

  1. Websites
    • https://www.stroke.org/
    • https://thestrokefoundation.org/
    • https://www.world-stroke.org/
  2. Books
    • My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor
    • Stronger After Stroke, Third Edition: Your Roadmap to Recovery by Peter G. Levine
    • Healing the Broken Brain by Dr. Mike Dow and David Dow
    • The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge
  3. Applications
    • MyLife Meditation: Mindfulness
    • Constant Therapy
    • Elevate – Brain Training
    • Peak – Brain Training
    • Language Therapy Lite

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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Types of stroke. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/types_of_stroke.htm.
Stroke facts. The Stroke Foundation. (2021). https://thestrokefoundation.org/home/stroke-facts/.
Stroke symptoms. www.stroke.org. (n.d.). https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms.
Types of stroke. The Stroke Foundation. (2021). https://thestrokefoundation.org/home/stroke-facts/types-of-stroke/.