The Concussion Conference 2.0: Having a concussed child: Katherine Snedaker

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.