Parents of adolescent soccer players that have suffered a concussion play a huge role in the recovery of their child. Parents should be educated on when to recognize a concussion (see signs and symptoms on earlier post) and the proper steps to take to ensure correct care and treatment of the concussion.
1. Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your teen to return to sports. Some qualified professionals include an MD, DO, NP, PA, and ATC.
2. Keep your teen out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Do not let your teen return to play until a health care professional says it's OK. Athletes who return to play too soon-while the brain is still healing-risk a greater chance of having a second concussion or second impact syndrome.
3. Tell all of your teen's coaches about any recent concussion. Coaches should know if your teen has had a recent concussion in ANY sport. Knowing about the concussion will allow the coach to keep your teen from activities that could result in another concussion.
4. Everyday activities may need to be limited. Physical and Cognitive brain rest are needed for complete recovery. School is where cognitive demands are the highest. Your child may need to stay at home for a few days.
To maximize your child's recovery from concussion, activity needs to be reduced and they needs lots of rest. Insist that your child rest, especially for the first few days after the concussion and throughout the 3 week recovery period (this can be longer!). Do not let your child convince you that he/she will rest "later". Rest must happen immediately! The school that your child attends should help your child reduce cognitive load, either by excusing them from school or reducing the classwork in school. At home, it is your job to help reduce sensory load- i.e. it is advised that teens avoid loud group functions, limit video games, television, and text messaging. Because a concussion will almost universally slow reaction time, driving should be limited/restricted pending medial clearance. Plenty of sleep and quiet, restful activities post-concussion will help maximize recovery.
This information comes from the 2009 REAP project. The REAP project is being adopted by many Colorado school districts. It focuses on a community-based approach to concussion management for high school students, here is the information:
http://cokidswithbraininjury.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/REAP-Project-Manual-Final.pdf
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