The Brain Injury Association of Windsor-Essex is urging parents and coaches to 'Use Your Head' when it comes to concussions in youth sports.
The group hosted an information session Thursday night and Dr. Anne McLachlan says the most important advice she can share is to not take any chances if you suspect a child may have a concussion.
McLachlan was one of several panelists on hand at the event to discuss all aspects of a concussion from how to recognize one to recovering and returning to play.
McLachlan says concussions are far more prevalent than most people realize.
"We know that about 18% of athletic related injuries are concussions. So it's important because that's a pretty big component. We also know that if kids are not removed from play they're not going to make as good recoveries if they're still trying to do things at the same level, playing sports, doing school work."
Information available at the Brain Injury Association's concussions in youth sports info session (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
She says if they can help keep one kid healthy, they've done their part.
"We hope that people will take away some resources, we have resources that the public health unit has put together, and more awareness of what to look for and then how to manage that so that kids can get the care that they need and then get back to school and get back to physical activity because we know there's lots of benefits from physical activity."
McLachlan adds, more research is being done every year.
"Every year there's a little more that we know about concussions, in terms of what the research is, and there has been recently some guidelines put out for concussions clinics. So what we should expect as a public when we go to see someone who says that they're a concussion expert and also to reassure people right? Most people do recover from a concussion."
The Brain Injury Association of Windsor-Essex hosts its 'Use Your Head' concussions in youth sports info session (Photo by AM800's Zander Broeckel)
This is the seventh year the Brain Injury Association of Windsor-Essex has hosted a sports concussion workshop.
For more information head to www.biawe.com.