Appoquinimink School District Concussions Appoquinimink School District

The Purpose of the Presentation: Present concussion awareness & its impact on quality of life. Educate staff and families on concussions, signs & symptoms, and treatment Learn what Appoquinimink School District and the community are doing for students diagnosed with concussions.

Concussion - Spotlight National Football League Former players suffer from concussions Resulting in depression, dementia, and suicide National public health concern Children and adolescents are among those at greatest risk for concussions Huge impact on education due to effects on learning ability http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIqZDbk3M40

What is a Concussion? Concussion A type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change how your brain normally works Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth

Signs and symptoms Difficulty thinking clearly Headache Fuzzy/Blurred Vision Nausea/Vomiting Dizzy Sensitive to light Balance problems Feeling tired/No energy Irritability, sadness, more emotional, anxiety Sleep disturbances

Danger signs Headache that gets worse and doesn’t go away Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination Repeated vomiting/nausea Slurred speech

Concussion-911 •Drowsy or cannot be awakened •One pupil larger than the other •Seizures •Cannot recognize people or places •Getting more and more confused, restless or agitated •Unusual behavior •Lose consciousness

Keep in mind… Symptoms may appear immediately or days to weeks later!! If a person suffers a 2nd concussion while still recovering from a previous concussion, the post concussion symptoms can be worse and last longer

Key Points Concussion is an invisible injury, so changes in a student’s thinking, learning, and behavior may be blamed on other causes People themselves might wonder if they’re “crazy” because they can’t see or feel the brain injury, only its effects

What should you do if you suspect that someone has a concussion? Remove them from all exercise and activity. DON”T “TOUGH IT OUT!” Children with a concussion should NEVER return to sports or recreational activities on the same day the injury occurred.

What should you do if you suspect that someone has a concussion? Seek medical attention immediately from their pediatrician or from the ER Communicate with their day care providers, coaches, trainers, school nurses, and schools to ensure compliance with the prescribed plan for recovery.

Concussion Treatment Comprehensive Concussion Program at Nemours Complete physical and mental rest. No tv, reading, video games. School accommodations when return to school. 90% of children will recover within 4-6 weeks.

Appoquinimink’s Concussion protocol Requires pre-return meeting with parent, student, administrator, counselor, teachers, and nurse If the student has an adjusted school day, then the student must check in with the nurse daily The school counselor is the liaison for all teachers The goal is to assist the student with a successful return to the classroom

Questions? Some of the information in this presentation was obtained from Nemours and from the CDC