Graduated return to school strategy18 55
| Mental activity | Activity at each step | Goal of each step |
| 1. Daily activities that do not give the child symptoms | Typical activities that the child does during the day as long as they do not increase symptoms (eg, reading, texting, screen time). Start with 5–15 min at a time and gradually build up | Gradual return to typical activities |
| 2. School activities at home | Homework, reading or other cognitive activities outside of the classroom | Increase tolerance to cognitive work |
| 3. Return to school part-time | Gradual introduction of schoolwork. May need to start with a partial school day or with increased breaks during the day | Increase academic activities |
| 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 |