Yesterday was an important day for children in Connecticut. I watched as Governor Malloy signed Public Act 14-66 concussion legislation into law making it harder for kids to go undetected when an injury occurs and for students and their families to get the help that they need in the classroom after experiencing concussions. The new law follows a trend. Currently all 50 states have enacted legislation and many of those are updating their laws to reflect what is happening in the classroom and on the field. The pattern is clear; it's time to put more stringent measures in place to protect our children.
What the law now requires according to the Connecticut General Assembly’s website:
- State Board of Education to develop or approve a concussion education plan
- Operators of youth athletic activities to provide information on concussions to youth athletes and their parents and guardians
- Youth athletes suspected of sustaining a concussion will provide written clearance from a medical professional prior to returning to the athletic activity
- Full contact practices limited to ninety minutes per week
- Local and regional boards of education to compile and report all instances of concussions suffered by children in school.
Ann Sherwood, Pippa Bell Ader and Diana Coyne all of Westport, CT worked tirelessly to make this law a reality and proved that it can be done. Together these women formed the Parents Concussion Coalition. Each of their sons has experienced significant consequences from suffering concussions, some of which are permanent. After speaking with Diana Coyne at the signing of the legislation yesterday, it is clear that the coalition will continue to press for better safety measures for children; their work is not done.
Many families do not make the connection between concussions, playing contact sports, and learning disabilities. It is important to remember that learning disabilities can occur for several reasons, one of which is the direct result of sustaining concussions or a traumatic brain injury. Students who are deemed able to return to play or to return to school may have residual learning issues that continue well after a concussion has healed. Many of these learning issues involve executive functions such as problem solving, working memory, sustained attention and emotional control. It is essential that all students with learning disabilities understand their needs and get the right support when returning to school or to sports. It’s important to remember that each students’ needs are different and that when an educational plan is put in place for a student who has experienced a concussion or traumatic brain injury, it needs to be individualized and based on the student’s current level of academic, social and emotional functioning. This legislation is the first step in recognizing that students must get their needs met. So much more needs to be done, but this was a great first step towards protecting our kids.
Dr. Berg with Governor Malloy and Smart Kids With LD Executive Director Jane Ross