There was a time, not too many years ago when a child in sport, suspected of having sustained a concussion, was given a few minutes rest on 'the bench' before being sent back out into the heat of competition.And that, of course, was if signs of concussion had even been detected in the first place.
Concussion injuries are serious things to prevent, to diagnose and treat. These 'brain injuries', especially in children, require diligent assessment and proper treatment, both of which should be trusted only to a medical professional.
From children playing full contact sports like hockey and football, to less full contact activities, while parents and coaches need to be not only aware of the dangers of concussion injuries but it's also helpful to understand how these injuries are assessed.
The Sport Consussion Assessment Tool (SCAT3) is a document, that, while designed for use only by medical professionals, provides interesting insight into the professional assessment of concussion injuries in children aged 5 - 12.
The Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool is also a great compact tool that can easily be kept handy for qualified coaches and trainers.
