Concussion
INFORMATION SHEET
This sheet has information to help protect your children or teens from concussion or other serious brain injury. Use
this information at your children’s or teens’ games and practices to learn how to spot a concussion and what to do
if a concussion occurs.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—
caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the
body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back
and forth. This fast movement can cause the brain to bounce
around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the
brain and sometimes stretching and damaging the brain cells.
How Can I Help Keep
My Children or Teens Safe?
Sports are a great way for children and teens to stay healthy
and can help them do well in school. To help lower your
children’s or teens’ chances of getting a concussion or other
serious brain injury, you should:
• Help create a culture of safety for the team.
o Work with their coach to teach ways to lower the
chances of getting a concussion.
o Talk with your children or teens about concussion and
ask if they have concerns about reporting a concussion.
Talk with them about their concerns; emphasize the
importance of reporting concussions and taking time to
recover from one.
o Ensure that they follow their coach’s rules for safety and
the rules of the sport.
o Tell your children or teens that you expect them to
practice good sportsmanship at all times.
• When appropriate for the sport or activity, teach your
children or teens that they must wear a helmet to lower the
chances of the most serious types of brain or head injury.
However, there is no “concussion-proof” helmet. So, even
with a helmet, it is important for children and teens to avoid
hits to the head.
Plan ahead. What do you want your child
or teen to know about concussion?
How Can I Spot a
Possible Concussion?
Children and teens who show or report one or more of the
signs and symptoms listed below—or simply say they just
“don’t feel right” after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or
body—may have a concussion or other serious brain injury.
Signs Observed by Parents or Coaches
• Appears dazed or stunned
• Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or
position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness (even briefly)
• Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes
• Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall
Symptoms Reported by Children and Teens
• Headache or “pressure” in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision
• Bothered by light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy
• Confusion, or concentration or memory problems
• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”
cdc.gov/HEADSUP
Talk with your children and teens about concussion. Tell them
to report their concussion symptoms to you and their coach right away. Some
children and teens think concussions aren’t serious, or worry that if they report
a concussion they will lose their position on the team or look weak. Be sure to
remind them that it’s better to miss one game than the whole season.