the concussion conference 2.0: having a concussed child: katherine snedaker
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Having a Concussed Child
Katherine Snedaker, MSW
SportsCAPP.comPinkConcussions.comTeamConcussion.org
My Boys
Are Parents afraid of risks?Starting to be aware of the risks and possibility of injury
Aware of risk “in general,” but not as risk to their own child
Denial that “their child” will get a concussion
Most often concerned about purchasing best/safest equipment
Generally want data on the risks compared to other sports
Isn’t Concussion Education a no brainer? Only public high school/middle school coaches
Schools/sports organization hesitate to “require” parental education events
When voluntary, few parents attend
Only when mandatory, parents make time
Parents support mandatory coaches/athlete training
Parents concerned with long term effects of TBI have already experienced concussion
Once injured… Barriers to successful concussion treatmentVERY FEW Parents understand the current and correct
management of concussions
Access to local concussion-trained MDs is haphazard
ER doctors are not consistent
Use of term Mild in “mTBI” by doctors is huge problem
Mild TBI = mTBI Acute TBI
How does having a concussed child change your life?
Section Two
When a child is concussed…Sudden medical crises
Family routine changes
Miss days of school
Canceled vacations/social events
Parents need to “babysit” child
Parents’ ability to earn wages
Less attention on siblings
Why are concussions different? Invisible Injury
Medical advice/terms vary between doctors, ER & TBI websites
Management of concussion is inconsistent
Parents are lost in how best to care for their child
Perception of “faking injury” is real issue
Parent needs to manage child’s absence and return to school
A concussion is the opposite of Strep Throat
Concussions
Breast cancer
Sandy gets house
Divorce
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Casseroles delivered to my house
Casseroles
How can children and parents’ needs
be addressed? Section Three
The playing field
Bad News
Lacking Medical Training
Lacking Education
Lacking Research
Lacking ATs for schools and youth sports
Good News
Training exists online + free
Educational materials exist
Smart Phone Apps exist
Books, pamphlets
Movies, Videos
Update Connecticut Concussion Law of 2009All youth sports under law, not just school teams
Coaches required to train in all youth sports
Player and parent education
Schools need RTL guidelines
Central registry for schools
Limited on “Full Contact” practice like NFL?
Sports org and schools required to provide yearly injury DATA
Nurture “Flow of Information”
CDC concussion education for parents/players
Concussion management training for doctors
Concussion management training for schools
Post Concussive Support mental health for players & their families
Who needs Concussion Education?
All middle school age children and parents
A pattern of first concussions occurring in middle school before any trained staff or ATs
Most kids tell us they had no education before their first concussion
There are rarely athletic trainers available to train or care for youth sports outside of school
Many states do not require teams outside of school to have trained coaches
Team Concussion presents
“MIND YOUR MELON” Kids & Sports Concussions
A program where teen speakers bring their own concussion experience directly to middle and high schools students.
• Our pro-sports, upbeat program • Entertaining messengers with interesting stories• Practical, up-to-date concussion facts for kids and parents.