The known statistics are frightening. Every year, millions of children and teens experience head injuries. The fact that there are millions more unreported or unrecognized concussions makes this issue even more concerning.

Concussions are serious, especially when they happen to a developing brain.

Our goal is to help health professionals manage concussion patients using evidence-based tools we have created. Guidelines will evolve as more emphasis is placed on concussion research and legislation. Our program will be on the forefront of these changes and we have quality initiatives in place to measure the effectiveness of our tools. Learn more about the Children's Concussion Program.

In the tabs above and below, you will find videos and downloads that can help you understand how to better manage concussions. Start with learning more about concussion diagnosis.

Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta team are independent providers and are not our employees.

The videos and downloads we offer can help clinical providers understand how to better manage concussions in their practice. They are all part of our Concussion Toolkit

• Definition of Concussion
• Children’s Consensus Statement on Computerized Cognitive Testing
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Assessment Criteria Tool
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Red Flags – Signs that it’s Serious
• Emergency Department Referral and CT Scan Criteria
• Emergency Department Algorithm
• Cognitive Rest – Dos and Don’ts
• Return to School and Play Guidelines Card - Reference chart explains the gradual process of returning to school and activities 
• Teaching Sheet (Espanol) - Help parents and patients understand what a concussion is and how to get better

Download the full Concussion Toolkit 

Additional Resources

• Baseline Testing
• Concussion Sideline Card - Quick reference tool to help you spot the signs of a concussion
• Coaches Game Cards - Guide for assessing sports medical events 
• Sport-specific Return to Play Guidelines
• Prevention Tips

4 related videos

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can happen anywhere. 

These videos include:

1. Overview of Traumatic Brain Injury
2. Diagnosing Concussions
3. Signs that it's Serious
4. Computerized Cognitive Testing

Learn more about concussion treatment.

Dr. Reisner and the Children’s concussion team take a look at the history of concussions and provide insight into the definitions, guidelines and treatments for a condition that affects millions of children each year. Read the concussion team's article, Concussion in Children.

Concussion Toolkit

The videos and downloads we offer can help clinical providers understand how to better manage concussions in their practice. They are all part of our Concussion Toolkit

• Definition of Concussion and Children’s Consensus Statement on Computerized Cognitive Testing
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Assessment Criteria Tool
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Red Flags – Signs that it’s Serious
• Emergency Department Referral and CT Scan Criteria
• Emergency Department Algorithm
• Cognitive Rest – Dos and Don’ts
• Return to School and Play Guidelines Card - Reference chart explains the gradual process of returning to school and activities 
• Teaching Sheet (Espanol) - Help parents and patients understand what a concussion is and how to get better

Download the full Concussion Toolkit 

Additional Resources

• Baseline Testing
• Concussion Sideline Card - Quick reference tool to help you spot the signs of a concussion
• Coaches Game Cards - Guide for assessing sports medical events 
• Sport-specific Return to Play Guidelines
• Prevention Tips

5 related videos

Most patients recover within a week or two, but each is different. Understand how to treat concussions and recognize the need for further evaluation.

These videos include:

1. On the Sidelines
2. Cognitive Rest and Return to School
3. Return to Play
4. Teaching Sheet and Follow-up Care
5. Preventing Concussions

Learn more about concussion scenarios.

Dr. Reisner and the Children’s concussion team take a look at the history of concussions and provide insight into the definitions, guidelines and treatments for a condition that affects millions of children each year. Read the concussion team's article, Concussion in Children.

Concussion Toolkit

The videos and downloads we offer can help clinical providers understand how to better manage concussions in their practice. They are all part of our Concussion Toolkit

• Definition of Concussion and Children’s Consensus Statement on Computerized Cognitive Testing
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Assessment Criteria Tool
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Red Flags – Signs that it’s Serious
• Emergency Department Referral and CT Scan Criteria
• Emergency Department Algorithm
• Cognitive Rest – Dos and Don’ts
• Return to School and Play Guidelines Card - Reference chart explains the gradual process of returning to school and activities 
• Teaching Sheet (Espanol) - Help parents and patients understand what a concussion is and how to get better

Download the full Concussion Toolkit 

Additional Resources

• Baseline Testing
• Concussion Sideline Card - Quick reference tool to help you spot the signs of a concussion
• Coaches Game Cards - Guide for assessing sports medical events 
• Sport-specific Return to Play Guidelines
• Prevention Tips

6 related videos

Concussions can happen to anyone–both young and old, on the field or in an accident.

1. Treating Patients in a Primary Care Setting
2. When to Refer to the Emergency Department (Note: This is the same information as showed in the "Signs it's Serious" video in the Diagnosis tab)
3. Lingering Headaches Postconcussion
4. Difficulty in School Postconcussion
5. Symptomatic, but Big Game this Week
6. Multiple Concussions

Learn more about our concussion program.

Dr. Reisner and the Children’s concussion team take a look at the history of concussions and provide insight into the definitions, guidelines and treatments for a condition that affects millions of children each year. Read the concussion team's article, Concussion in Children.

Concussion Toolkit

The videos and downloads we offer can help clinical providers understand how to better manage concussions in their practice. They are all part of our Concussion Toolkit

• Definition of Concussion and Children’s Consensus Statement on Computerized Cognitive Testing
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Assessment Criteria Tool
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Red Flags – Signs that it’s Serious
• Emergency Department Referral and CT Scan Criteria
• Emergency Department Algorithm
• Cognitive Rest – Dos and Don’ts
• Return to School and Play Guidelines Card - Reference chart explains the gradual process of returning to school and activities 
• Teaching Sheet (Espanol) - Help parents and patients understand what a concussion is and how to get better

Download the full Concussion Toolkit 

Additional Resources

• Baseline Testing
• Concussion Sideline Card - Quick reference tool to help you spot the signs of a concussion
• Coaches Game Cards - Guide for assessing sports medical events 
• Sport-specific Return to Play Guidelines
• Prevention Tips

1 related videos

Our multidisciplinary approach helps make the Children's Concussion Program unique, with services including:

• Emergency
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Sports medicine 
• Urgent Care
• Neuropsychology
• Physiatry (Physical medicine and rehabilitation) 

We staff the program with a dedicated concussion nurse who helps coordinate each child's care across the continuum and serves as a resource for health care professionals. The concussion team at Children's works with each child’s primary care doctor to develop the best possible plan of care.  

• Receive updates about our concussion program.
• Access concussion resources.
• Earn CME credit.

Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals on the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta team are independent providers and are not our employees.

Dr. Reisner and the Children’s concussion team take a look at the history of concussions and provide insight into the definitions, guidelines and treatments for a condition that affects millions of children each year. Read the concussion team's article, Concussion in Children.

Concussion Toolkit

The videos and downloads we offer can help clinical providers understand how to better manage concussions in their practice. They are all part of our Concussion Toolkit

• Definition of Concussion and Children’s Consensus Statement on Computerized Cognitive Testing
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Assessment Criteria Tool
• Glasgow Coma Scale
• Red Flags – Signs that it’s Serious
• Emergency Department Referral and CT Scan Criteria
• Emergency Department Algorithm
• Cognitive Rest – Dos and Don’ts
• Return to School and Play Guidelines Card - Reference chart explains the gradual process of returning to school and activities 
• Teaching Sheet (Espanol) - Help parents and patients understand what a concussion is and how to get better

Download the full Concussion Toolkit 

Additional Resources

• Baseline Testing
• Concussion Sideline Card - Quick reference tool to help you spot the signs of a concussion
• Coaches Game Cards - Guide for assessing sports medical events 
• Sport-specific Return to Play Guidelines
• Prevention Tips

After watching the videos and downloading the Concussion Toolkit PDF, register and complete the CME post test. 

CME Learning Objectives

1. Provide and plan patient care after a concussion utilizing all components of the Concussion Toolkit.
2. Describe the immediate and delayed potential consequences of concussion and the dangers of multiple concussions.
3. Explain when to advance care to include Emergency Department assessment and/or CT testing.
4. Discuss with patients and parents the importance of gradual return to activities, cognitive rest and the importance of follow-up care.

Speakers

The following speakers, planners and everyone who have control of the content in these videos have disclosed that they have no financial relationships that would create a conflict of interest with these videos.

The videos in the tabs of the concussion tools web page feature:

• Thomas Burns, Psy.D., A.B.P.P., Director, Neuropsychology
• Michael Greenwald, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician
• Larry Hall, Manager, Orthopaedics
• Shabnam Jain, M.D., Medical Director for Clinical Effectiveness
• David Marshall, M.D., Medical Director, Sports Medicine
• Bryan Philbrook, M.D., Pediatric Neurologist
• David Popoli, M.D., Pediatric Sports Medicine Primary Care Physician
• Andrew Reisner, M.D., Medical Director, Concussion Program
• Kim Speake, R.N., B.S.N., Concussion Nurse Coordinator
• Diane Waldner, Service Line Administrator, Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
• Brad Weselman, M.D., Chairman, Atlanta Area Advisory Council
• Tamara Zagustin, M.D., Pediatric Physiatrist
• Sarah Crumley, Marketing Coordinator

CME Credit

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta knows you have a busy schedule, so we have made it easier for you to earn continuing education credit by providing this learning opportunity online. You may earn CME credit by taking the post test after watching the videos that are in the tabs on the concussion tools web page. Those who complete 80% correctly will be able to print their CME certificate. In addition to the post test, we are asking you some brief questions before the webcast. We thank you in advance for completing them.

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is accredited by the Medical Association of Georgia to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Children's designates this internet enduring material for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In order to meet regulatory requirements that allow Children's to provide a limited amount of non-monetary compensation to physicians, we must note your participation in this online CME at a value of $10 per credit. This amount will be applied to your non-monetary compensation allowance. No action is required on your part. Thank you for your interest in the CME opportunities.

Education Evaluation

After the post test, you will receive a link to an evaluation and continuing education questions. As part of your participation in this continuing education activity, it is important for you to complete the online evaluation questions. Note: Only aggregate reports will be produced; physician and organization-specific information is considered confidential and will not be disclosed.

Activity approval: March 22, 2013
Activity expiration: March 22, 2016

Resources

• CDC: "Heads Up To Concussion"
• CDC: Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• USA Football: Concussion Awareness
• USA Hockey: Concussion Materials
• US Lacrosse: Concussion Management
• Sports Concussions.org: Protecting youth athletes from concussions
• Brain Injury Association of America
• National Academy of Neuropsychology: Concussions

The materials in this module were created to help physicians better treat concussed patients and to help parents understand their child’s recovery needs, as well as when they should seek medical attention. This module is in no way intended to specifically seek referrals to Children’s facilities.