Suggested Head Injury Guidelines for Youth and School Athletic Programs

●  Preseason mental and coordination testing
●  After a concussion repeat the same exact testing to compare results to detect any mental or motor skill abnormalities
●  Create a student file that contains stringent and accurate record keeping of athletic injuries that follow an athlete permanently even if he/she travels to an out of state school.  This process assures that all officials are aware of any previous head trauma.
●  Athletic trainers  should be mandated to take special courses and be certified annually pertaining to the evaluation and diagnosis of concussions .   
●  Any athlete with a  diagnosed concussion, should be required to get a clearance to return to activity by a licensed physician.
●  Inactive should mean no practice or gym class or weight room
●  Team required pre season film and lecture on the serious possible consequences of not reporting a head injury.
●  On suspicion of even a mild concussion, the athlete should be rendered inactive for 1 observation week, because the effects or symptoms of concussions occasionally  do not appear immediately.  Concussions sometimes take up to several days for symptoms to show or worsen, putting the athlete at great risk of second impact syndrome.
●  All student athletes who have suffered a concussion should be put on a "precautionary watch list" at school.  Teachers would be informed of the student's diagnosis and would evaluate and report any symptoms which may include: changes in grades, attendance, aggression, unusual day dreaming, forgetfulness, resentment of authority such as teachers, etc.