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Concerns and Issues Faced by Families of Concussed Youth Athletes

Concerns and Issues Faced by Families of Concussed Youth Athletes. Katherine Snedaker, MSW SportsCAPP.com PinkConcussions.com TeamConcussion.org February 2013. Are all parents concerned about concussions in youth sports?. Section One. No. Concerns are often at extremes

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Concerns and Issues Faced by Families of Concussed Youth Athletes

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  1. Concerns and Issues Faced by Families of Concussed Youth Athletes Katherine Snedaker, MSW SportsCAPP.com PinkConcussions.com TeamConcussion.org February 2013

  2. Are all parents concerned about concussions in youth sports? Section One www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  3. No www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 • Concerns are often at extremes • Parents are very concerned v. not at all • Only parents, who really “get it,” have had a concussed child  • Concern also varies by sport • Concern varies by geography

  4. Attitudes are changing www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 • 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

  5. Is Concussion Education a no brainer? www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 • Sports organization hesitate to “require” parental education • When voluntary, few parents attend • When mandatory, parents make time • Parents support mandatory coaches/athlete training • Parents concerned with long term effects of TBI have already experienced concussion

  6. Missing pieces of the puzzle www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 • A mixed reaction when baseline testing offered • Some view baseline testing as in someway preventative • Parents unaware of what a concussion really is • Parents do not understand spectrum of return to school and RTP • System is missing the person to manage how child is doing and report to parents – MD, AT, School Guidance Counselor?

  7. Many barriers to treatment www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 VERY FEW Parents understand the current and correct management of concussions Access to trained MDs is limited in many parts of the country Experts who exist have long waiting lists Experts accept patients based cause of injury or age of child

  8. How does having a concussed child change your life? Section Two www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  9. The call “Mrs. Snedaker, this is your son’s coach and I am calling to tell you that James took a pretty hard hit to the head today in practice.” “This is the school nurse…” “Mom, I hit my head…” www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  10. When a child is concussed… www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 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

  11. Why are concussions different? www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 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

  12. With a concussion… www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 • Length of crises unknown at start – days, weeks or more • Lack of support by school, communityand team parents • Stress between parents if care plan is not mutually agreed upon • Coping 24/7 with a cranky, hurting child with no screens • Child cut off from their social life/friends/sport • Mental health neglected in concussion management • Diagnosis often challenged by friends and school

  13. www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 Photos from Facing Concussion Project

  14. www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  15. How can parents’ needs be addressed? Section Three www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  16. The playing field Bad News Good News Training exists online + free Educational materials exist Smart Phone Apps exist Books, pamphlets Movies, Videos • Lacking Medical Training • Lacking Education • Lacking Research • Lacking ATCs for schools and youth sports www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  17. www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  18. Recommendations Based on my experience and sharing with my peers across the country www.SportsCAPP.com 2013

  19. Nurture “Flow of Information” www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 Concussion management training for doctors CDC concussion education for all sport parents/athletes CDC concussion training for all youth coaches Teach parents how to support families with concussed athletes – takes a village

  20. Require Accountability www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 1st step = Removing injured athlete from play = coach Coaches required to train in all youth sports Sports org and schools required to provide yearly injury stats

  21. Fund the future www.SportsCAPP.com 2013 Experiment with different RTschooland RTP Plans Encourage new models using counseling (MSW, ATCs, Guidance counselors, etc) Encourage mental health support for families Research for more valid statistics + better diagnostic tools Fund more ATCs training and involvement on the fields of youth sports

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