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What are concussion
For more information and tool kits for youth
danger signs? sports coaches and high school coaches, visit

Be alert for symptoms that worsen over time. www.cdc.gov/Concussion.

The student should be seen in an emergency
department right away if s/he has: How can I recognize a

• One pupil (the black part in the middle
concussion?
of the eye) larger than the other
Teachers and school counselors may be the first
• Drowsiness or cannot be awakened
to notice changes in their students. The signs
• A headache that gets worse and does
and symptoms can take time to appear and can
not go away
become evident during concentration and
• Weakness, numbness, or decreased
learning activities in the classroom.
coordination
• Repeated vomiting or nausea Send a student to the school nurse, or another

• Slurred speech professional designated to address health issues,
• Convulsions or seizures if you notice or suspect that a student has:
• Difficulty recognizing people or places
1. Any kind of forceful blow to the head or
• Increasing confusion, restlessness,
to the body that results in rapid movement
or agitation
of the head,
• Unusual behavior
-and-
• Loss of consciousness (even a brief
2. Any change in the student’s behavior,
loss of consciousness should be
thinking, or physical functioning. (See the
taken seriously)
signs and symptoms of concussion.)

What do I need to know about
Children and teens with a
my students returning to school
concussion should NEVER return to
sports or recreation activities on the
same day the injury occurred. They after a concussion?
should delay returning to their activities Supporting a student recovering from a
until a health care professional
concussion requires a collaborative approach
experienced in evaluating for concussion
among school professionals, health care
says they are symptom-free and it’s OK
to return to play. This means, until providers, and parents, as s/he may need
permitted, not returning to: accommodations during recovery. If symptoms
• Physical Education (PE) class,
persist, a 504 meeting may be called. Section
• Sports practices or games, or
504 Plans are implemented when students have
• Physical activity at recess.
a disability (temporary or permanent) that
affects their performance in any manner.