Youth Concussion: Resources for Parents and Families

Concussion is the most common brain injury in children and adolescents, and it is also one of the most frequently mismanaged. Parents are often the first to recognize that something is wrong, the first to make decisions about whether to seek care, and the primary support system during recovery. This hub brings together peer-reviewed education specifically for families navigating pediatric and youth concussion.

Every article here is grounded in research from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and published neurological journals. None of it is a substitute for your child's pediatrician, but all of it is designed to help you ask better questions and make more informed decisions.

Just had a head impact Returning to school Youth athlete family Concerned about long-term effects

When to go to the emergency room. Take your child to the ER immediately if they lose consciousness, vomit more than once, have a seizure, have a headache that keeps getting worse, have one pupil larger than the other, or cannot be woken up. These symptoms require immediate evaluation and cannot wait for a pediatrician appointment.

When a head impact just happened

What to look for, what to do in the first 24 hours, and when symptoms require emergency care.

How to tell if your child has a concussion What to do after your child hits their head: a parent's guide Post-concussion syndrome: what it is and why symptoms persist
View all Brain Injury 101 articles →

Managing recovery at home and at school

Return-to-learn protocols, school accommodations, and what the recovery arc looks like week by week.

Return to school after concussion: what parents need to know Concussion recovery: what to expect and what actually helps Post-concussion syndrome: symptoms, timeline, and management
View all Brain Injury 101 articles →

Youth sports, prevention, and risk

Concussion rates by sport, what helmets do and do not prevent, and how to talk to your young athlete.

Youth sports and concussion: what the research shows Football head injuries and concussion prevention Head injuries in sports: what players and families need to know My child plays contact sports. Should I be worried?
View all Brain Injury 101 articles →

Long-term effects and cumulative risk

What the research shows about childhood concussion and later life, including multiple concussions and cognitive outcomes.

Childhood concussion effects later in life: what the research shows 7 types of traumatic brain injury explained CTE and repeated head impacts: the full learning path
Explore the CTE Learning Path →

From the Nest, every Wednesday

Peer-reviewed brain injury education, caregiver tools, and resources delivered to your inbox. Free, always.

Subscribe free →
Brain injury glossary Caregiver tools Free caregiver guide Medical appointment packet Browse all articles

Latest Brain Injury Articles

View all
  • A teenager studying at a desk with books open, looking focused, in a warm home environment

    Childhood Concussion Effects Later in Life

    Most childhood concussions resolve fully within weeks. A subset of children, particularly those with multiple concussions or prolonged recovery, experience effects that persist into adolescence and adulthood. This article reviews...

    Childhood Concussion Effects Later in Life

    Most childhood concussions resolve fully within weeks. A subset of children, particularly those with multiple concussions or prolonged recovery, experience effects that persist into adolescence and adulthood. This article reviews...

  • Young soccer player in uniform on a grass field, looking toward the camera, with teammates visible in the background

    Youth Sports and Concussion: What Parents Need ...

    Concussion is the most common brain injury in youth sports and one of the most frequently underreported. This guide covers concussion rates by sport, why young athletes hide symptoms, what...

    Youth Sports and Concussion: What Parents Need ...

    Concussion is the most common brain injury in youth sports and one of the most frequently underreported. This guide covers concussion rates by sport, why young athletes hide symptoms, what...

  • A child sitting at a school desk looking tired, with a supportive teacher nearby in a quiet classroom

    Return to School After Concussion: What Parents...

    When a child sustains a concussion, return to school follows a stepwise protocol that is clinically distinct from return to sport. Understanding that framework helps parents advocate effectively for their...

    Return to School After Concussion: What Parents...

    When a child sustains a concussion, return to school follows a stepwise protocol that is clinically distinct from return to sport. Understanding that framework helps parents advocate effectively for their...

  • An adult watching over a sleeping child in a quiet living room. Soft lamp light, cozy home environment.

    What to Do After Your Child Hits Their Head

    A head impact happens fast. Parents often feel uncertain about what to do, how serious the injury is, and whether to go to the emergency room or wait and watch....

    What to Do After Your Child Hits Their Head

    A head impact happens fast. Parents often feel uncertain about what to do, how serious the injury is, and whether to go to the emergency room or wait and watch....

1 4
View all