What YOU need to know about Return to Learn
I recently had an exchange with a colleague in education about the outstanding work she has done in Pennsylvania to improve the lives of students & student-athletes with mTBI. How was she able to...
View ArticleConcussion Prevention
One of the most common things I hear from parents after their child has recovered from a concussion is, “We went out and got that new ‘concussion’ helmet so we can keep this from happening again.”...
View ArticleConcussion Island: Tour Guides
Last month we introduced you to Concussion Island, the imaginary place many individuals find post-concussion. While on the “island”, life feels unfamiliar and often scary…learning might be different,...
View ArticleHelmet Sensors
Hot off of the presses…. NFL Suspends Efforts to Track Hits to Head with Sensors The National Football League, who recently has thrown millions of dollars at their concussion problem, announced just...
View ArticleTaking Control of Your Recovery
Once again, my collegiate student-athletes are the ones doing the teaching. Many times, especially later in the recovery process, I am hearing similar refrains of increased anxiety, thoughts of feeling...
View ArticleDepression after a Concussion
I was really glad to read ESPN’s Jim Trotter’s piece on depression, suicide and mental health in former pro athletes. Jim focused on an important topic that is often over looked and untreated until...
View ArticleIn Memory of Thomas Oakland, School Psychologist
Last month I brought you the work of Karen McAvoy, Psy. D. and Brenda Eagan Brown, M. ed., from their “Get Schooled on Concussions” website. I focused on the notion of “advocates” settling on a single...
View ArticleConcussion Advocate
As one School Psychologist working across 3 school districts with 100’s of thousands of students, I sometimes feel isolated in my efforts as an advocate. Sometimes this can be disheartening, sapping my...
View ArticleConcussions in Professional Athletes
There is a saying I heard often during my pediatrics training: “Kids are not just little adults.” This expression is meant to convey the idea that the presentation and treatment of various medical...
View ArticleWhy High Schools Should Adopt “Edelman Rule”
[This is Part 1 of a 2 Part Series] Last week, Dr. Cuff briefly discussed concussions in professional athletes and discussed the use of independent concussions spotters in the NFL as an attempt to...
View ArticleWhy College Athletes May Not Report Concussions
I often encounter athletes who continue to practice or play in a game despite suffering concussion signs and symptoms and since hiding this information is not considered advisable and potentially quite...
View ArticleA Mile in Our Shoes
It’s almost time for the summer recess, time to catch up on the pile of articles I have collected over the past six to eight months. There will be NO summer regression here! Of course, I want to keep...
View ArticleMinimizing Concussion Risk in High School Football
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) recently approved new recommendations in an attempt to minimize head impact exposure and concussion risk in football. While...
View ArticleWhy High Schools Should Adopt “The Julian Edelman Rule” Pt. 2
In last month’s entry, I discussed the NFL’s adoption of the “Julian Edelman Rule,” a rule that allows the independent Athletic Trainer in the press box to call a time out in order for a player to be...
View ArticleCan Vision Training Reduce Concussions?
While laudable efforts have been put into recognition, evaluation and treatment of a concussed athlete, those are all secondary prevention things done after the injury has already occurred. Ideally,...
View ArticleSummer Camps and Concussions
June, July, and August…warm weather, no school, vacations…and camps. Summer camps for athletes are a staple of the off-season: new skills, new coaches, new training models, new opportunities. While...
View ArticleWomen’s World Cup Recap Pt. 1: Concussion Protocol
The 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the most talked about sporting events for years to come. Beating out the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals in viewership, millions across the nation and the...
View ArticleWomen’s World Cup Recap, Pt. 2: Headgear
Wow. I’ve had some time to digest the incredible performance by the United States Women’s National Team in last week’s Women’s World Cup final against Japan and I am speechless. Watching our women’s...
View ArticleWhy High Schools Should Adopt “Edelman Rule” Pt. 3
In my last two entries I first discussed the implementation of the “Edelman Rule” by the NFL and then went on to suggest the adoption of a similar rule in high school and youth sports. Honestly, this...
View ArticlePast Unreported Concussions
Performing annual baseline assessments to provide comparison data for future concussions provokes controversy about validity, cost, and time investment. If however, such testing routinely uncovered...
View Article
