Resources for Concussion and Head Injury

American Academy of Pediatrics: 

• Academic Effects of Concussions in Children and Adolescents

Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin:

• Play Smart WI

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury: Concussion in Sports
• Locker Room Poster
• Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports
• Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports
• Heads Up to Schools: Know Your Concussion ABCs
• Heads Up to Schools Coaches Guide
• Heads Up to Schools Athlete Fact Sheet
• Heads Up to Schools Parents Fact Sheet
• Heads Up to Schools_Teachers Fact Sheet
• Heads Up to Health-Care Professionals Course
• Heads Up: Brain Injury in Your Practice: Information for Physicians & Parents
• CDC Course for Health-Care Professionals: The CDC has created a new FREE online training to provide health care professionals with an overview of what they need to know about concussion among young athletes. The goal of this course, Heads Up to Clinicians: Addressing Concussion in Sports among Kids and Teens (http://www.preventingconcussions.org/), is to prepare health care professionals to diagnose and manage concussions on the sidelines, in their office, training room, or in the emergency department. In this course health care professionals will:
  • Examine current research on what may be happening to the brain after a concussion
  • Understand why young people are at increased risk
  • Explore acute concussion assessment and individualized management of young athletes
  • Learn about the 5-Step Return to Play Progression and helping athletes safely return to school and play
  • Focus on prevention and preparedness to help keep athletes safe season-to-season

National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS)

NAYS Free Concussion Training Program:

Register at: http://www.nays.org/additional-training/preview/concussion-training.cfm

This free online course is available to all coaches and parents. The program is designed to provide those involved in youth sports with valuable information on concussions and the risks they present. Topics include:

• What is a concussion?
• How to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with concussions.
• Keys to minimizing the risk of young athletes sustaining concussions.
• Steps for dealing with a suspected concussion.
• When it's safe to allow a player who has suffered a concussion to return to play; and the steps to recovery.
• Education for athletes to help prevent concussions.

Coaches and parents can receive a certificate of completion after answering all review questions.

Existing NYSCA coaches and PAYS parents can also add concussion training for free to their existing account.

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS):

• NFHS Concussion Brochure
• NFHS Parents Guide to Concussion
• NFHS Concussion Physiology
• NFHS Gender Differences
• Free Concussion in Sports Course offered by NFHS:
  Register at: http://www.nfhslearn.com/electiveDetail.aspx?courseID=15000

  Course Objectives:

  • Educate coaches, parents, officials, and students about concussions
  • Identify the signs and symptoms of concussions
  • Understand the problems associated with concussions
  • Actions to take when a concussion is present
  • Identify responsibilities of coaches, parents, officials, and students

  The WIAA strongly encourages coaches at all levels to take this free course along with officials, parents and athletes so they have a better understanding of concussions and their effects on young, adolescent brain function.

Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA):

• WIAA Concussion Information
• Concussions 101 Video: A Primer for Kids and Parents
• Keeping Quiet Can Keep You Out of the Game: An Athlete’s Story
• Keeping Quiet Can Keep You Out of the Game: A Mother’s Story
• WIAA Medical Policies & Procedures Guide
• WIAA Concussion Management Resources:
  • Concussion Management Plan: A sample concussion management plan for use by schools.
    (Note: Each school should consult with its own sports medicine staff, legal counsel and athletics staff during the development and implementation of a plan.)
  • The following sample form was developed by the Big Ten Conference for use within its conference and is shared with other NCAA members with its permission: Student-Athlete Injury and Illness Reporting Acknowledgement Form
    (Note: Each school should consult with its own legal counsel prior to developing and using a form.)
  • WIAA Concussion Insurance for Student Athletes

Concussion Guidelines