"it is imperative that any student who is suspected of having sustained a concussion be immediately removed from cognitive, athletic, and other physical activities and remain out of cognitive, athletic, and other physical activities until evaluated and cleared to return to activity by a licensed health care provider."
- Guidelines for Concussion Management in School, NYSED, 2023
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that occurs following direct impact to the head, whiplash or sudden blast. When this happens, the brain makes hard contact with the inside of the skull, causing injury to the delicate brain tissue.
Symptoms of a concussion may include:
headache
temporary loss of consciousness
amnesia regarding events just prior to or immediately following the injury.
light sensitivity, double vision or "seeing stars"
slurred speech
ringing in the ears
nausea, with or without vomiting
dizziness
confusion or "brain fog"
The single most effective treatment for a concussion is rest. Brain tissue needs time to heal in order for symptoms to go away. Cognitive rest means minimizing screen time, avoiding loud environments and taking frequent breaks during studying, reading or doing homework. Physically, students should avoid all recess, PE and athletics until properly cleared to return. This prevents potentially serious complications that can arise from getting a second concussion while the brain is still healing from the first injury.
What are the rules for concussion diagnosis and clearance in schools?
For students who develop concussion symptoms following an injury, an evaluation is necessary through a licensed healthcare provider. This can be a primary care provider, urgent care or emergency department. However, please note that if a student athlete sustains a concussion during school-sponsored athletic activity (ie. practice, scrimmages, games, etc.), New York State requires that the diagnosis of a concussion must be made by a licensed physician.
To be cleared to return to activity after a concussion, a provider must attest that the student is symptom-free at the time of the appointment. Clearances made based on a presumed or estimated date of safe return cannot be accepted. Again, if a student athlete sustains a concussion during school-sponsored athletic activity, New York State requires that the initial clearance of a concussion must be made by a licensed physician.
Once a student has been cleared to return to activity, they will undergo a Return to Play protocol, either through PE or as part of their athletic team. This means that they will incrementally increase their activity level under supervision over a period of days to ensure that symptoms don't return. If students complete the Return to Play protocol without symptoms, the district's medical director will clear them to return to full activity.
The graph below covers the requirements for concussion diagnosis and clearance, as required by New York State:
Concussion Training
Concussion training is required every two (2) years for our school nurses, athletic trainers, PE teachers and coaches. We also strongly recommend that teachers, staff members, parents and students consider taking the CDC's Heads Up course to recognize the prevention, evaluation and management of concussion.
Developed by CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics
For classroom teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals, and teacher's aides
Earn 2.0 continuing education credits through NATA and receive a certificate of completion from CDC
Presented by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and the CDC to educate coaches, officials, parents and student-athletes
