A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Injury Prevention, each year US emergency rooms treat an estimated 173,285 sports- and recreation-related concussions among children and adolescents and these types of injuries have increased by 60% over the past decade.
Activities with the highest risk of concussion include (but are not limited to) football, basketball, soccer, and other recreational activities.
Any one or group of these symptoms may appear immediately and be temporary, or delayed and long lasting. The appearance of any one of these symptoms should alert the responsible personnel to the possibility of concussion.

Symptoms reported by athletes may include: headache, nausea,  feeling off-balance or dizzy, double or fuzzy vision, increased sensitivity to light or noise, feeling sluggish, feeling groggy or "in a fog", having concentration or memory problems, thinking more slowly, and feeling confused.

Signs observed by parents, friends, teachers or coaches may include: the athlete appears dazed or stunned, is confused about what to do, forgets plays, is unsure of the game or score, moves clumsily, answers questions slowly, loses consciousness, shows behavior or personality changes, and can’t recall events just prior and/or after the hit.

Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. So, all coaches, parents, and athletes need to learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs. Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. The good news: most people with a concussion recover quickly and fully. But for a small number of individuals, symptoms can last for days, weeks, or longer. In general, recovery may be slower among young children and teens. Those who have had a concussion in the past are also at risk of having another one and may find that it takes longer to recover if they have another concussion.

Kids are still sustaining concussions during COVID-19

Concussions don’t just happen to student-athletes, concussions happen to everyday students K-12.
Concussions don’t just cause headaches.
Concussions can cause learning and (sometimes) emotional/behavioral problems.
100% of students with a concussion must return to school even if they never return to sport.

The good news is that the majority of concussions heal within 1 to 4 weeks, especially with quick and simple supports from public and private schools.
Let us help your teachers learn strategies to support students as they Return to Learn following a concussion.
Log into the Get Schooled on Concussion Alabama site HERE.
(Password: TACTalabama2020)
​Are you ready to Get Schooled On Concussions?
The Alabama Head Injury Task Force and Alabama Department of Rehabilitation have launched our Return to Learn/Concussion Management System for Alabama Public and Private School Teachers K-12. Alabama State guidelines and legislation exists for Return to Play decisions after concussion. The Alabama Head Injury Task Force and ADRS realized a need for Return to Learn/Academic Re-entry Guidelines which include cognitive rest. Many other states are using the same Get Schooled on Concussions - Return to Learn Protocol which was developed by Dr. Karen McAvoy in Colorado. This tool is now in Alabama, sponsored by the ADRS Traumatic Brain Injury Program, www.getschooledonconcussions.com/alabama, and the Return to Learn Protocol, and it is called the TACT (Teacher Acute Concussion Tool). (Please see the flyer & one-pager below). The TACT includes short tutorial videos and educational cut sheets about concussions in the general education classroom and provides weekly email reminders to teachers.

If your public or private school system in Alabama would like more information, please contact: April Turner, State Head Injury Coordinator- Alabama Department of Rehabilitation, 334-293-7116.
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Alabama TACT flyer
Click image to download the Alabama TACT Flyer (PDF).
TACT Concussion Tool one-pager
Click image to download the TACT Concussion Tool one-pager (PDF).

​REAP Program

​​Remove/Reduce
Educate
Adjust/Accommodate
Pace

REAP is a community-based model for Concussion Management.
REAP Program brochure
Click to download the full REAP Program brochure.
CDC Concussion Training Video with Kurt Warner

When it comes to concussion, always remember:

• A concussion IS a brain injury and ALL concussions are serious.

• Concussions often happen without loss of consciousness.

• Concussions can occur in ANY sport or recreational activity at ANY time during
  practice or play.

• Recognition and proper management of concussions when they first happen can
  help to prevent further injury, disability, or even death.

• When in doubt, sit them out!

​The Alabama Sports Concussion Law, Act # 2011-541, was passed in 2011 and is intended to prevent, identify and treat concussions, including how soon a student athlete can return to play. It applies to all athletic organizations statewide and states that:
  1. Any athletic participant suspected of having a concussion must be held out of further participation until such time that they are evaluated and cleared by a licensed physician.
  2. All coaches must participate in training recognizing sports-related concussions and understand their responsibility to the athlete.
  3. Athletic organizations must provide information to athletes and their parents/guardians explaining the nature and risk of head injuries in regard to activity and returning to play after a suspected head injury.
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Know the Alabama law and stay aHEAD of concussion!
For more information about diagnosing and managing concussion, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers free online training for health care professionals developed in partnership with the National Football League (NFL) and the CDC Foundation.
Click here to access

CDC Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports is a free, online course available to coaches, parents, and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion.
Click here to access

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have teamed up to provide information and resources to help educate coaches, officials, parents and students on the importance of proper concussion recognition and management in high school sports.
Click here to access
If you are in need of on-site training on sports concussion you may submit a request for this online through AlabamaTBI.org.

Please request training in advance as soon as possible so that somoene will be avaliable to assist you. 
©2012. The AlabamaTBI.org website is supported in part by AL H21MC06738 from the Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. The contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of DHHS.