Every student will be a contributing member of their community and highly prepared for life after graduation.
National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA): A concussion is a “trauma induced alteration in mental status that may or may not involve loss of consciousness.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury, or TBI, caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can also occur from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth.” - CDC, Heads Up: Concussion
Even a “ding,” “getting your bell rung,” or what seems to be mild bump or blow to the head can be serious” - CDC, Heads Up: Concussion Fact Sheet for Coaches
The Concussion Education Plan and Guidelines for Connecticut Schools was approved by the Connecticut State Board of Education in January 2015 is accessible on the CSDE website.
A concussion should be suspected if any one or more of the following signs or symptoms are present, or if the coach/evaluator is unsure, following an impact or suspected impact as described in the CDC definition above.
Signs of a concussion may include (i.e. what the athlete displays/looks like to an observer):
Symptoms of a concussion may include (i.e. what the athlete reports):
State law requires that a coach MUST immediately remove a student-athlete from participating in any intramural or interscholastic athletic activity who: a) is observed to exhibit signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion following a suspected blow to the head or body, or b) is diagnosed with a concussion, regardless of when such concussion or head injury may have occurred. Upon removal of the athlete, a qualified school employee must notify the parent or legal guardian within 24 hours that the student athlete has exhibited signs and symptoms of a concussion.
Concussion Management Requirements and Return to Play (RTP) Protocol:
Medical Clearance RTP Protocol:
(Recommended one full day between steps)*
* If at any time signs or symptoms should worsen during the RTP progression the athlete should stop activity that day. If the athlete’s symptoms are gone the next day, she/he may resume the RTP progression at the last step completed in which no symptoms were present. If symptoms return and don’t resolve, the athlete should be referred back to her/his medical provider.
A concussion should be suspected if any one or more of the following signs or symptoms are present, or if the coach/evaluator is unsure, following an impact or suspected impact as described in the CDC definition above.
Signs of a concussion may include (i.e. what the athlete displays/looks like to an observer):
Symptoms of a concussion may include (i.e. what the athlete reports):
State law requires that a coach MUST immediately remove a student-athlete from participating in any intramural or interscholastic athletic activity who: a) is observed to exhibit signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion following a suspected blow to the head or body, or b) is diagnosed with a concussion, regardless of when such concussion or head injury may have occurred. Upon removal of the athlete, a qualified school employee must notify the parent or legal guardian within 24 hours that the student athlete has exhibited signs and symptoms of a concussion.
Concussion Management Requirements and Return to Play (RTP) Protocol:
Medical Clearance RTP Protocol:
(Recommended one full day between steps)*
* If at any time signs or symptoms should worsen during the RTP progression the athlete should stop activity that day. If the athlete’s symptoms are gone the next day, she/he may resume the RTP progression at the last step completed in which no symptoms were present. If symptoms return and don’t resolve, the athlete should be referred back to her/his medical provider.