I am a Parent, a Caregiver, or a Support Person
Concussion recovery can be complex for both the individual and the people close to them. It affects families and caregivers emotionally, mentally, and physically. It is important to take care of your own well-being while providing support and insight into their personality and background that could help guide the rehabilitative program.
For example, children often have mood changes and anxiety as they recover from a brain injury. Many children worry about failing at school or not being active. Worrying may make symptoms worse or make recovery time longer. Let your child know that having these feelings is normal and offer encouragement and support. Some children may need support from a counsellor.
Know that you are not alone and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. The following free resources will help support your journey in addition to our support page:
Concussion guide for parents and caregivers
Parachute, Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention, has published a
Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers, covering topics such as:
- What is a concussion
- Signs and symptoms
- Treatment
- Next steps
concussion forms to be completed for school/sport
Tackling the paperwork required by the school, sports organization and/or employer can be overwhelming! As the individual progresses through their concussion recovery, various forms will need to be completed/updated and circulated between the parent/guardian, the school, sports organizations, medical professionals, etc.
Where to find the forms required by your school:
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB):
Durham District School Board (DDSB):
Also see: Concussions | Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education, DCDSB Concussion Protocol, DDSB Concussion Protocol.
Terminology used on concussion forms:
Where to find the forms required by your school:
Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB):
- Forms - to be printed and completed by hand: concussion-protocol-package-for-parents-final.pdf
- Protocols: Concussion Protocol | Durham Catholic District School Board
Durham District School Board (DDSB):
- Forms - to be completed online (not printed): concussion-protocol-package-for-parents-final.pdf
- Protocols: Concussion Protocol | Durham Catholic District School Board
- Concussion Handbook for Parents: PDFfiller - ddsb concussion protocol.pdf
Also see: Concussions | Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education, DCDSB Concussion Protocol, DDSB Concussion Protocol.
Terminology used on concussion forms:
- Return to Learn - Refers to the process and criteria students follow to safely resume attendance at school post concussion, including rest periods and adjustments to their school environment as needed. Refer to the school board's Concussion Policy and Procedures. Note your child could return to school part-time initially and may require accommodations. The process is guided by clear benchmarks rather than my arbitrary timelines.
- Return to Play - Refers to the process and criteria that athletes follow to safely resume their sport post concussion. Refer to the sporting organization's Concussion Policy and Procedures. Note your child typically must have returned to school/learn before returning to play. The process is guided by clear benchmarks rather than my arbitrary timelines.
- Return to Work - Refers to the process and criteria to safely allow someone to return to place of employment post concussion, gradually reintroducing work activities often with accommodations. See parachute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Concussion-ReturnToWork-UA.pdf
- Accommodations - Refers to strategies that support a balance between rest and activity, essential for successful recovery. Accommodations can include changes to work/school/play hours, changes to environment and tasks to make a return possible when still having some symptoms. Accommodations are typically temporary and should be adjusted regularly as needed.
