What can happen if my child keeps on playing with a concussion or returns too soon?

Athletes with the signs and symptoms of concussion should be removed from play immediately. Continuing to play with the signs and symptoms of a concussion leaves the young athlete especially vulnerable to greater injury. There is an increased risk of significant damage from a concussion for a period of time after that concussion occurs, particularly if the athlete suffers another concussion before completely recovering from the first one. This can lead to prolonged recovery, or even to severe brain swelling (second impact syndrome) with devastating and even fatal consequences. It is well known that adolescent or teenage athletes will often fail to report symptoms of injuries. Concussions are no different. As a result, education of Administrators, coaches, parents and students is the key to student-athlete's safety.

If you think your child has suffered a concussion

Any athlete even suspected of suffering a concussion should be removed from the game or practice immediately. No athlete may return to play or physical activity, including the physical activity portion of physical education courses, after an apparent head injury or concussion, regardless of how mild it seems or how quickly symptoms clear, without medical clearance. Close observation of the athlete should continue for several hours. IHSA Policy requires athletes to provide their school with written clearance from either a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or a certified athletic trainer working in conjunction with a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches prior to returning to play or practice following a concussion or after being removed from an interscholastic contest due to a possible head injury or concussion and not cleared to return to that same contest. In accordance with state law, all IHSA member schools are required to follow this policy. Board policy requires the same clearance before such a student can return to intramural athletics and the physical activity portion of a physical education class.

You should also inform your child's coach if you think that your child may have a concussion, even if it resulted from an injury that occurred outside of school/school activities. Remember it's better to miss one game than miss the whole season. And when in doubt, the athlete sits out.

How can you help your child prevent a concussion or other serious brain injury?

Ensure that they follow their coach's rules for safety and the rules of the sport.
Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times.
Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity. Protective equipment should fit properly andbe well maintained.
Wearing a helmet is a must to reduce the risk of a serious brain injury or skull fracture.
However, helmets are not designed to prevent concussions. There is no "concussion-proof" helmet. So, even with ahelmet, it is important for kids and teens to avoid hits to the head.
Tell your child's coaches if your child had a previous concussion. Your child's coach may not know about aconcussion your child received in another sport or activity unless you tell the coach.

For current and up-to-date information on concussions you can go to: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/index.html

Adapted from the IHSA Sports Medicine Acknowledgement & Consent Form, which is adapted from the CDC and the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport