Date post: | 29-Mar-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | arely-mullennix |
View: | 217 times |
Download: | 1 times |
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 all
Only 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 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
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Is Concussion Education a no brainer? 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
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Missing pieces of the puzzleA 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?
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Many barriers to treatmentVERY 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
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 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
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 more
Lack of support by school, community and 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
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 field
Bad 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 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
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Require Accountability1st 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
www.SportsCAPP.com 2013
Fund the futureExperiment with different RTschool and 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