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What is a concussion?
What is a concussion?
“A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.” (CDC, 2019).
“A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.” (CDC, 2019).
Concussion in Sports Protocol
Concussion in Sports Protocol
Once a player is suspected of having a concussion, the following steps should occur.
Once a player is suspected of having a concussion, the following steps should occur.
Student-Athlete removed from play/practice
Coach/Trainer makes contact with parent/guardian and gives them the following forms. These forms are part of the required concussion/head injury documentation and processes we use per CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) protocol. Our goal is to help students safely return to academic and athletic participation while ensuring compliance and proper care.
CIF Physician Letter to the School
This form allows the physician to communicate directly with the school about whether the student has or has not been diagnosed with a concussion, whether accommodations will be necessary, AND what level of physical activity the student can return to. (If the doctor prefers to use their own format it must cover each section on the form.)
CIF Physician Recommended School Accommodations Following Concussion
This form outlines specific academic accommodations recommended by the physician (e.g. reduced workload, rest breaks, screen-time limits) so that the student can continue their education while recovering safely.
Once cleared by the physician, this form tracks the step-by-step progression of physical activity and sports participation after a concussion. Once the student has made it to STEP 5 and is not having symptoms an UPDATED Physician Letter to School Form is required stating the student is cleared for unrestricted athletic participation. (If the doctor prefers to use their own format it must cover each section on the form.)
Coach/Trainer to inform parent that they must take their student with the forms to their doctor before being allowed to return to play.
If the parent is not there, the coach will give forms to the athlete and follow up with a phone call that day informing the parent of the incident.
Next Steps:
Please take these forms to your physician and request that they complete and return them as soon as possible.
The Physician Letter to School helps us understand if the student will need academic accommodations and when the Return to Play protocol can be started.
Once we receive the Physician Recommended School Accommodations form, I will coordinate with teachers and staff to implement any accommodations.
After the Return to Play Protocol is completed and the doctor has provided clearance for unrestricted athletic participation, the student may resume athletics in accordance with CIF guidelines.
The signs, symptoms, and behaviors of a concussion are not always apparent immediately after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body and may develop over a few hours. An athlete should be observed following a suspected concussion and should never be left alone. Athletes must know that they should never try to “tough out” a suspected concussion. Teammates, parents and coaches should never encourage an athlete to “play through” the symptoms of a concussion. In addition, there should never be an attribution of bravery to athletes who do play despite having concussion signs or symptoms.
The risks of such behavior must be emphasized to all members of the team, as well as coaches and parents. If an athlete returns to activity before being fully healed from an initial concussion, the athlete is at risk for a repeat concussion. A repeat concussion that occurs before the brain has a chance to recover from the first can slow recovery or increase the chance for long-term problems. In rare cases, a repeat concussion can result in severe swelling and bleeding in the brain that can be fatal.
What is Return to Learn?
What is Return to Learn?
Following a concussion, student athletes may have difficulties with short- and long-term memory, concentration and organization. They will require rest while recovering from injury (e.g., avoid reading, texting, video games, loud movies), and may even need to stay home from school for a few days. As they return to school, the schedule might need to start with a few classes or a half-day depending on how they feel. If recovery from a concussion is taking longer than expected, they may also benefit from a reduced class schedule and/or limited homework; a formal school assessment may also be necessary. Your school or doctor can help suggest and make these changes. Student athletes should complete the Return to Learn guidelines and return to complete school before beginning any sports or physical activities, unless your doctor makes other recommendations.
How is Return to Play (RTP) determined?
How is Return to Play (RTP) determined?
Concussion symptoms should be completely gone before returning to competition. A RTP progression involves a gradual, step-wise increase in physical effort, sports-specific activities and the risk for contact. If symptoms occur with activity, the progression should be stopped. If there are no symptoms the next day, exercise can be restarted at the previous stage. RTP after concussion should occur only with medical clearance from a medical doctor trained in the evaluation and management of concussions, and a step-wise progression program monitored by an athletic trainer, coach, or other identified school administrator. [AB 2127, a California state law effective 1/1/15, states that return to play (i.e., full competition) must be no sooner than 7 days after the concussion diagnosis has been made by a physician.]
Non-Sports Related Concussions
Non-Sports Related Concussions
If you suspect your student has a concussion, they should be evaluated by a licensed health care provider as soon as possible. If your student is currently diagnosed with a concussion or being evaluated for a concussion, please communicate that information to your student’s school site. There is a process with specific steps that should be followed to ensure your student returns to school and activities when they are ready. If your student is evaluated, PLEASE HAVE YOUR STUDENT'S HEALTHCARE PROVIDER COMPLETE THIS FORM.
Recovery
Every student’s recovery from a brain injury or concussion will look different. Some students may feel better in a few weeks whereas others may take several months to fully recover. Concussion symptoms may be present during the recovery process, however if any symptoms are getting worse be sure to seek medical care.
Dangerous Signs and Symptoms
In rare cases, a concussion can progress and your student may develop severe symptoms. If your student has one or more of the follow symptoms following a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, call 911 or seek emergency services immediately:
one pupil is larger than the other
drowsiness or inability to wake up
a headache that gets worse and does not go away
slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching)
unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
loss of consciousness (passed out/knocked out)
Additional Resources/Links
Additional Resources/Links
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