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.

If you are heading to the ER, download the free Neurological Patient ER Visit Checklist before you go. It helps ER staff understand your child's baseline and communicate more effectively with your family.

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?
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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 →

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