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 We unpack myths, the new stepwise approach, and why return to school should come before return to play.

• what a concussion is
• common and delayed symptoms including mood and sleep changes
• immediate sideline steps
• why “cocooning” is outdated and how light activity helps
• individualized recovery timelines and risk of returning too soon
• return-to-learn before return-to-play with simple accommodations
• a staircase model for activity and symptom thresholds
• helmets vs brain movement and the role of honest reporting
• practical tips for coaches, parents, and student athletes

Check out our website, send us an email, share this with a friend or young student athlete who is playing some sports and might get a concussion

References

1. Broglio SP, Register-Mihalik JK, Guskiewicz KM, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association Bridge Statement: Management of Sport-Related Concussion. Journal of Athletic Training. 2024;59(3):225-242. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-0046.22.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline on the Diagnosis and Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Among Children. Lumba-Brown A, Yeates KO, Sarmiento K, et al. JAMA Pediatrics. 2018;172(11):e182853. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.2853.
3. Feiss R, Lutz M, Reiche E, Moody J, Pangelinan M. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Concussion Education Programs for Coaches and Parents of Youth Athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020;17(8):E2665. doi:10.3390/ijerph17082665.
4. Gereige RS, Gross T, Jastaniah E. Individual Medical Emergencies Occurring at School. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057987. doi:10.1542/peds.2022-057987.
5. Giza CC, Kutcher JS, Ashwal S, et al. Summary of Evidence-Based Guideline Update: Evaluation and Management of Concussion in Sports: Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2013;80(24):2250-2257. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e31828d57dd.
6. Halstead ME. What's New With Pediatric Sport Concussions? Pediatrics. 2024;153(1):e2023063881. doi:10.1542/peds.2023-063881.
7. Halstead ME, Walter KD, Moffatt K. Sport-Related Concussion in Children and Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2018;142(6):e20183074. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3074.
8. Leddy JJ. Sport-Related Concussion. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2025;392(5):483-493. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp2400691.
9. McCrea M, Broglio S, McAllister T, et al. Return to Play and Risk of Repeat Concussion in Collegiate Football Players: Comparative Analysis From the NCAA Concussion Study (1999–2001) and CARE Consortium (2014–2017). British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020;54(2):102-109. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-100579.
10. Scorza KA, Cole W. Current Concepts in Concussion: Initial Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician. 2019;99(7):426-434.
11. Shirley E, Hudspeth LJ, Maynard JR. Managing Sports-Related Concussions From Time of Injury Through Return to Play. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2018;26(13):e279-e286. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-16-00684.
12. Zhou H, Ledsky R, Sarmiento K, et al. Parent-Child Communication About Concuss

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Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN
Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski