Sports Concussion Tool Kit for Athletic Trainers and Coaches

Qualification Level:  U 

by Phil Hossler, ATC, Michael Collins, Ph.D., Chris Nowinski, John Leddy, M.D., Ron Savage, Ed.D., and Barry Willer, Ph.D.

Concussion is a brain injury and it occurs to youths in all sports and recreational programs. The Sports Concussion Tool Kit provides athletic trainers and coaches with a comprehensive concussion programme. It includes 1 poster, 2 manuals, 1 DVD and 30 tip cards on concussion in school sports. Specifically designed for middle and high schools as well as community recreation programmes, it has been developed by national experts in concussion assessment and management. Because concussions can have physical, cognitive and emotional consequences that extend beyond the playing field, the Sports Concussion Tool Kit is a full educational package that covers:

• designing a concussion policy in schools and communities
• educating athletic staff about signs and symptoms of concussion
• monitoring student athlete's recovery from a concussion
• adhering to return to play guidelines after a concussion
• communicating with parents about concussion symptoms and recovery
• collaborating with educators on classroom supports

?Full Description

• Player’s Contract with the Team Poster by Phil Hossler, A.T.C. and Chris Nowinski. Sample poster is a tool for athletic staff to educate athletes on safety guidelines and reporting the signs and symptoms of concussion.

• Concussion Policy: A Construction Guide for Schools by Phil Hossler, A.T.C. and Michael Collins, Ph.D. – 56 pages. With concussion being the leading injury among school age student athletes, this concussion guide has essential information, procedures, and forms for athletic departments, teachers and administrators to develop a concussion management programme that will protect students in all school activities.

• Written by national leaders on concussion assessment and management, the authors provide a step by step approach to developing a successful and comprehensive concussion programme in schools. This guide describes the roles and responsibilities of school district leaders, a concussion committee, athletic departments and coaching staff, classroom teachers, school nurses, parents and the student-athletes. It is a unique and comprehensive approach to addressing the risks and consequences of concussion among children adolescents in our schools.

• Getting Ahead of Concussion: Educating the Student Athlete's Neighbourhood by Phil Hossler, ATC and Ron Savage, Ed.D. – 48 page manual. Concussion is the most common type of brain injury among children and adolescents in school. By describing the student-athlete's neighbourhood, this manual take an innovative and comprehensive approach to educating parents, teachers, physicians, coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses, and peers about how the effects of mild brain injury.

• Concussion, An Educational DVD by Barry Willer, Ph.D. and John Leddy, M.D. Developed as an educational tool for teachers and trainers to educate students about concussion, this DVD is an effective teaching tool with clear language, graphics and vignettes. It combines lessons in neuroanatomy with student interviews to explain complex issues in easy to understand language with practical suggestions for families and school staff. Five modules cover How the Brain Works, Definition of a Concussion, Metabolic Changes, Symptoms of Concussion, and Concussion Management.

• Sports Concussion by Ron Savage, Ed.D. – 10 tip cards. Describes how to identify early and late signs and consequences of concussions in athletes. Explains how the severity of a concussion is measured and includes an 8 week Post Concussion Checklist to monitor physical, cognitive and behavioural symptoms and recovery.

• Concussion Recovery in Students by Jeanne Dise Lewis, Ph.D. - 10 tip cards.Helps parents, educators and athletic staff monitor symptoms and track recovery at home and in school. It provides strategies for supporting the student in the classroom with suggestions for temporary accommodations.

• Concussion Education: In the student-athlete's neighbourhood by Phil Hossler, ATC 10 tip cards.When any athlete sustains a sports concussion, sensitive, trained and compassionate neighbours are needed to monitor the athlete’s recovery. For student-athletes, this managing team or neighbourhood includes coaches, athletic trainers, parents, physicians, teachers, school nurses and educational psychologists along with concussion specialists. This tip card provides checklists and practical strategies on educating everyone on the signs and symptoms of concussion in student-athletes with tips for support and accommodations.