concerns and issues faced by families of concussed youth athletes
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Concerns and Issues Faced by Families of Concussed Youth Athletes
Katherine Snedaker, MSW
SportsCAPP.comPinkConcussions.comTeamConcussion.org
February 2013
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Are all parents concerned about
concussions in youth sports?
Section One
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
NoConcerns are often at extremes Parents are very concerned v. not at allOnly parents, who really “get it,” have had a concussed child Concern also varies by sport Concern varies by geography
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Attitudes are changingStarting to be aware of the risks and possibility of injuryAware of risk “in general,” but not as risk to their own childDenial that “their child” will get a concussionMost often concerned about purchasing best/safest equipment Generally want data on the risks compared to other sports
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Is Concussion Education a no brainer? Sports organization hesitate to “require” parental educationWhen voluntary, few parents attend When mandatory, parents make timeParents support mandatory coaches/athlete trainingParents concerned with long term effects of TBI have already
experienced concussion
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Missing pieces of the puzzleA mixed reaction when baseline testing offeredSome view baseline testing as in someway preventative Parents unaware of what a concussion really isParents 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?
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Many barriers to treatmentVERY FEW Parents understand the current and correct
management of concussionsAccess to trained MDs is limited in many parts of the countryExperts who exist have long waiting lists Experts accept patients based cause of injury or age of child
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
How does having a concussed child change your life?
Section Two
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
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
When a child is concussed…Sudden medical crisesFamily routine changesMiss days of schoolCanceled vacations/social events Parents need to “babysit” childParents’ ability to earn wagesLess attention on siblings
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Why are concussions different? 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
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
With a concussion…Length of crises unknown at start – days, weeks or moreLack of support by school, community and team parentsStress between parents if care plan is not mutually agreed
uponCoping 24/7 with a cranky, hurting child with no screensChild cut off from their social life/friends/sport Mental health neglected in concussion managementDiagnosis often challenged by friends and school
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013Photos from Facing Concussion Project
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Concussions
Breast cancer
Sandy gets house
Divorce
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Casseroles delivered to my house
Casseroles
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
How can parents’ needs be
addressed? Section Three
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
The playing fieldBad News
Lacking Medical Training Lacking Education Lacking Research Lacking ATCs for schools
and youth sports
Good News
Training exists online + free
Educational materials exist Smart Phone Apps exist Books, pamphlets Movies, Videos
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
RecommendationsBased on my experience and sharing with my
peers across the country
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Nurture “Flow of Information”
Concussion management training for doctorsCDC concussion education for all sport
parents/athletesCDC concussion training for all youth
coaches Teach parents how to support families with
concussed athletes – takes a village
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Require Accountability1st step = Removing injured athlete from play = coachCoaches required to train in all youth sportsSports org and schools required to provide yearly injury
stats
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Fund the futureExperiment with different RTschool and RTP
PlansEncourage new models using counseling (MSW,
ATCs, Guidance counselors, etc)Encourage mental health support for familiesResearch for more valid statistics + better
diagnostic toolsFund more ATCs training and involvement on
the fields of youth sports
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