Active children have a higher risk of getting a concussion. These head injuries can happen at any time, including during non-sporting activities. The OCSB is dedicated to protecting our students from all types of head injuries. When head injuries occur in our schools, we treat them seriously and carefully. We know that recognizing and responding to a concussion is vital to a child’s recovery.
Understanding how head injuries can happen
A concussion can happen from a blow to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly back and forth within the skull. A person can fall and hit their head on the ground, but a blow to the body could also result in a brain injury. For example, a person can be pushed very hard from behind, causing their head to jerk backward (like whiplash). This can cause a head injury or a concussion.
Signs and symptoms of a concussion
Signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle and may not be noticeable right away. Symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer, and may include any of the following:
- headache, pressure in the head, or dizziness
- temporary loss of consciousness or amnesia
- difficulty concentrating or remembering
- unusual behaviour such as depression, anger, or irritability
- drowsiness or difficulty falling asleep
- ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting
- sensitivity to light and sound
Procedures to be followed at school
There are very specific steps to be followed by school staff, students and parents in the event of a suspected or medically diagnosed concussion. If a suspicious injury to the head or body occurs, an assessment checklist is used to determine if any there are any concussion signs or symptoms. The checklist then illustrates which steps to follow next. Students with medically diagnosed concussions are documented as they move through the detailed time out periods.
The OCSB strongly suggests that all students with a suspected concussion seek professional medical attention. In cases of head or body trauma where the student was, for any time, unconscious, unresponsive or dazed, parents are required to seek medical treatment before the student can return to school. Only a medical doctor can diagnose a concussion.
Time out periods
The terms “return to learn” and “return to physical activity” are used to help identify and deal with concussions. Parents and school staff work closely together (using detailed charts and forms) to carefully track a student’s activities after a suspected or medically diagnosed concussion.
Return to learn
The injured student must reduce all mental and physical activities for at least 24 hours, in order to assess the severity of the injury. This is essential, since learning and memory difficulties may make it very difficult for the student to concentrate and recall learning during this period.
Return to physical activity
The injured student is removed from the possibility of re-injury (recess, gym class, sports) during the healing process. Even a small amount of physical activity may lead to a re-injury that can have serious and lifetime permanent effects of brain injury.
Making Concussion Protocols easy
What do you do if you think your child or someone you know has had a concussion? We’ve put together a quick fact sheet to refer to when assessing the situation.
Support Document for Concussion Related Brain Injuries
The Support Document for Concussion Related Brain Injuries contains resources to assist with the prevention, identification, and management of head injuries and concussions.
What can you find in this document?
Table of Contents
| Table of Contents |
|---|
| Concussions: What you need to know |
| Diagnosed concussion injuries – information |
| Community coach concussion awareness and education |
| Concussion prevention planning |
Appendices
| Appendices |
|---|
| Informed consent for student participating and acknowledgement of risks |
| Chart 1: Steps and responsibilities for suspected concussion |
| Chart 2: Steps and responsibilities for diagnosed concussions |
| Concussion Signs and Symptoms form |
| Suspected Concussion Injury form |
| Return to Learn/Return to Physical Activity plan |
| Diagnosed Concussion Injury forms (1 and 2) |