Advice For Parents

Before your child gets a head injury, familiarize yourself with all the symptoms of concussions.

Make sure your child’s coaches are educated about prevention or Prehab. They will teach athletes techniques that will prevent players from leading with their heads as they tackle in football; how to properly head the ball in soccer, and their baseball coaches are teaching kids how to slide safely.

Helmets and shoes and other clothing should fit properly.  Equipment go only so far in protecting children from concussions, but it’s still important for equipment to be well-maintained, fit correctly and to be used properly.

Don’t assume it’s there. If your school doesn’t have a physical therapist or a trainer, start a campaign to get one. Healthcare professionals have expertise about sports injuries that many coaches lack, and they also provide a more objective opinion about whether an athlete needs to sit out. That’s especially important for concussions, which are far more difficult to diagnose and to assess in terms of recovery.

Make sure your child’s coach has the right attitude about concussions. If your coach takes a light approach about concussions, it’s time to talk to administration about the school’s potential liability. Some coaches still see concussions as something athletes can tough out. Also, as a parent, champion the importance of good sportsmanship and strict officiating.

Be careful about putting your child in a situation where they are competing against much larger competitors. Make sure your child is in a league appropriate to his or her size and talents. Among the recommendations of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Pay attention to strength and conditioning.”