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Welcome to BIAC’s directory of Connecticut-based community resources, state and national organizations, and publications with important information related to brain injury education, prevention, and recovery. If you need further assistance, please give our helpline a call at 860-219-0291 to connect with a Brain Injury Specialist, or email general@biact.org.
Browse BIAC’s complete directory of concussion resources for parents, educators, athletes, and healthcare providers.
It is important to recognize that several definitions of brain injuries exist in current literature. The acquired brain injury definition is broader in scope and is often termed the “umbrella” definition as it includes traumatic brain injury.
Acquired brain injuries are typically brain injuries occurring after birth but not related to degenerative diseases, or congenital or hereditary factors. They may cause temporary or permanent impairment(s). Impairments can include physical functions, cognition, and psychosocial behaviors.
Causes of acquired brain injury can include, but are not limited to the following:
In basic terms, traumatic brain injuries are typically defined as blow or jolt to the head or body, or a penetrating head injury that disrupts brain function. It should be noted that not all blows and jolts to the head result in a TBI. It should also be noted that you don’t necessarily have to hit your head to sustain a brain injury. Impairments from this type of injury can be temporary or permanent.
The severity of a TBI may range from ‘mild’—a brief change of mental status or consciousness, to ‘severe’—an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after injury. Most TBI’s that occur each year are ‘mild’, commonly called concussions.
TBI can cause a wide range of functional short- or long-term changes affecting thinking, sensation, language, or emotions.
TBI can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.
About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions.
Repeated concussions occurring over an extended period of time (i.e., months, years) can result in cumulative neurological and cognitive deficits. Repeated concussions occurring within a short period of time (i.e., hours, days, or weeks) can be catastrophic or fatal.
If you or someone you know has a brain injury or needs help navigating brain injury-related resources or information, BIAC can help. Visit Get Help Now for more information.
Sometimes the symptoms of a concussion can linger beyond the initial 2–3-week recovery period. This may happen for a number of reasons, and it can have a significant impact on one’s daily life in all ways. It is important that people diagnosed with PCS (sometimes referred to as persistent post-concussive syndrome) are referred to specialists with training in concussions to help them recover. An interdisciplinary team approach is often recommended.
All 50 states and Washington, D.C., have youth concussion laws focused on letting young athletes heal. The specific laws vary from state to state.
Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity. Parents, coaches, athletic trainers, school nurses, teachers, advisors, physicians, and athletes need to know the signs and symptoms of concussion and what to do if a concussion is suspected.
BIAC has always recognized the importance of keeping your brain safe, and continuously strives to raise awareness about the prevention of brain injury, including concussions. BIAC was instrumental in drafting and supporting 2010 concussion legislation, An Act Concerning Student Athletes and Concussions, as well as 2014 legislation, An Act Concerning Youth Athletics and Concussions.
It is important that parents and athletes understand the signs and symptoms of concussion and sign a concussion policy statement at the beginning of each sports season. BIAC offers concussion trainings aimed at raising awareness about concussion in youth sports.
Help us raise awareness about concussion by sharing these publications with your parents, coaches, athletic trainers, teachers, advisors, physicians, and athletes that you know.
Recognizing a concussion is not just one person’s responsibility. Each sport is a team sport, and each player needs to look after each other. What a coach may miss a teacher may notice in the classroom or a parent may see at home. Teammates, coaches, trainers, parents, school nurses and teachers all need to be aware of the seriousness of a concussion and how to recognize when a child or young adult has sustained one.
Summary of Questions Parents Should Ask of Youth Sports Organizations when considering having their Children Join, by Gerard Gioia.
This was developed through the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport
Summary of the Return to Learn Chart following Concussion, by Gerard Gioia.
This was developed through the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport.
This was developed through the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport.
Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport – the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport Held in Berlin, October 2016.
This booklet, adapted with permission from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, was developed as a guide to help parents of children who are recovering from a concussion, to educate them about concussion, and to describe some of the complexities of concussion management.
This booklet, adapted with permission from the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey, was developed as a guide to help parents of children who are recovering from a concussion, to educate them about concussion, and to describe some of the complexities of concussion management.
