INFORMATION ABOUT CONCUSSIONS
This information is regarding the steps that will follow if your student-athlete has been either,
1) diagnosed with a concussion, or,
2) referred to a physician for a possible concussion due to his/her assessment by the ranking medical professional.
These circumstances indicate a very clear protocol that all student-athletes in the Shawnee Mission School District MUST FOLLOW to ensure the safe return to participation. To understand the required protocol, please read the following closely:
EVERY student that is sent to a physician suspecting a concussion will complete a 5 step return to play progression.
Student-athletes diagnosed with a concussion and on academic accommodations will NOT begin their “Return to Play” (RTP) until they are off ALL of their academic accommodations. Academic accommodations are managed by the school nurse. Should you feel at any point that your academic accommodations provided by your physician are not being followed by your student-athlete’s teacher(s), please contact your school nurse immediately.
When a student-athlete is completely asymptomatic AND they are cleared by a MD/DO they can begin their return to play progression.
Return to play progressions are directed by the Athletic Trainer and managed by him/her and/or the coaching staff of yours student-athlete’s sport.
The return to play progression has five steps, each step must be separated by 24 asymptomatic hours. Each step must be supervised by the Athletic Trainer or coaching staff of your student-athlete’s sport.
After your student-athlete has participated in a full contact practice (step 4), without any symptoms returning, a second signature is required by the supervising physician. Your student-athlete will not be able to participate in a competition without this release being received, in writing, by the school (faxnumber: 913-993-6789). This release must be in writing and must contain language similar to the following – “The student-athlete can now participate without restrictions."
Please understand, the RTP is a 5-step process, so the earliest your student-athlete can hope to return to participation is the 5th day after he/she has been released to start the RTP . Should the athletic trainer not deem successful completion of each step of the RTP, participation will be delayed accordingly.
More information about Kansas law regarding concussions can be found at www.kansasconcussion.org. We encourage parents to ask questions early in the process to promote open communication and avoid delayed return to play.
IMPORTANT HEALTH CARE PROVIDER INFORMATION
Both Kansas state law and the SMSD policy on concussion management, beginning the RTP, and return to full participation MUST BE IN WRITING AND APPROVED BY AN MD OR A DO. Any other health care professional CANNOT legally approve the return to play.
Any questions please contact Dakota Orlando, SME Athletic Trainer
Thanks,
Coach Kelly and Dakota