Concussion Resources

Concussion diagnosis and treatment guidelines

A concussion happens when a blow or jolt to the head or body causes the soft tissue of the brain to knock against the skull’s surface. Concussions can make it hard to focus, balance, sleep, and more. Athletes aren’t the only ones who get concussions. A hard knock on the head or body during any activity can give anyone a concussion. Read our guide to learn how to understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion, when to seek emergency medical care, and how to treat a concussion at home. We have also developed guidelines for returning to learning and play after a concussion.

CrashCourse: Concussion education reimagined for today’s generation

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one in five high school athletes will experience a concussion. Children and parents need to know the facts about how to play sports as safely as possible in order to help avoid permanent damage from head injuries.

To address this issue, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford has collaborated with TeachAids—a pioneer in developing innovative, research-based health education technologies—to develop a novel concussion education program called CrashCourse. This collaboration is supported by the Taube Stanford Concussion Collaborative.

CrashCourse is a series of free interactive educational products that aims to raise awareness of the latest science around concussions and shift the conversation from fear and silence toward knowledge and empowerment. The CrashCourse curriculum, released both online and in virtual reality, includes:

• CrashCourse Interactive Video (12 min.)—Shares the latest medical knowledge about concussion prevention and education. Course Completion Certification is available for athletes, parents, and coaches.
• Brain Fly-Through (8 min.)—Takes youth and parents inside a 3-D representation of a real brain to help them understand the complexity and vulnerability of an otherwise invisible injury.
• Concussion Story Wall—An interactive database showcasing more than 4,000 video narratives from those impacted by concussions. Includes the cause of injury, a description of symptoms, and helpful recovery tips coupled with expert advice from medical professionals.
• Multisport Production (Winter 2022)—In collaboration with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies, TeachAids will be developing an additional multisport production to educate athletes, parents, coaches, and the sports community.