Heads Up for Concussion

STATE LAW REGARDING SPORTS-RELATED HEAD INJURY & CONCUSSIONS

The Illinois General Assembly now requires that all schools subject to the Illinois Interscholastic Elementary School Association adhere to a new law regarding sports-related head injuries and concussions. The law requires:

• All Illinois schools to establish “return to sports’ and “return to learn” protocols for students with concussions.
• If a student athlete sustains a concussion or is suspected of sustaining a concussion during a practice or game, the law now mandates taking the student out of play or practice, and requires written certification from a licensed medical professional for “return to play” and “return to learn”.
• That student athletes and their parents (as well as coaches, athletic directors, school nurses, physicians and others) learn about the consequences of head injuries and concussions through training programs and/or written materials.

Information for athletes and parents:

What is a Concussion?

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSRWF44wgn8&feature=youtu.be

Concussion Videos:

• https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/resources/videos.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/youthsports/parents.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/policy/index.html
• http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/youthsports/esp/youth_sports_parents_fact_sheet_spanish_v3_508.pdf  (Spanish)
• http://www.cdc.gov/headsup/pdfs/youthsports/esp/parent_athlete_info_sheet_spanish-a.pdf (Spanish)