1) The document summarizes Connecticut's concussion law and the development of the CIAC's Module #15 on concussions.
2) It describes how the law was inspired by the story of Zackery Lystedt, a middle school football player who was permanently disabled after sustaining two concussions in one game.
3) It outlines the content of Module #15, which is a 3-hour course on concussion management that is part of CIAC's coaching certification program. The course covers topics like concussion symptoms, treatment, and return-to-play protocols.
5. • 13 yr. old middle school football player
• permanently disabled in 2006
• sustained a concussion after tackling an
opponent
• prematurely returned to a game
6. Zackery Lystedt Story
video – shows Zack lying on the ground clutching
both sides of his helmet; rolling back & forth in pain
7. CONSEQUENTLY
the referee called time-out
Zack was sidelined for 3 plays before half-time
by the start of the 3rd quarter, BACK IN THE GAME
collapsed on the field; airlifted to medical center
8. RESULTS OF PREMATURE RETURN
underwent emergency
life-saving surgery
remove both sides of
skull to relieve pressure
experienced numerous
strokes
7 days on a ventilator
3 months in a coma
4 weeks in a nursing
home
2 months in a children’s
hospital for rehab
9 months before he
spoke his first word
13 months before he
moved a leg or an arm
20 months on a feeding
tube
3 yrs before he would
stand, with assistance,
on his own 2 feet
10. • prior to the proposal – The Connecticut
Concussion Task Force
11. • Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC)
partnered with the Senators
• meeting to help craft the language
of the legislation
• The Connecticut Concussion Task Force
12. • initially, bill crafted after the Lystedt Law in
Washington state
• then after the state law that passed in Oregon
• Washington state (1st) and Oregon (2nd) were
the original state concussion laws in the
nation
• BIAC – distributed a press release
13. • due to CT’s severe budget situation,
legislation introduced could not include a
fiscal note - example, informed consent
• did not cover community, recreation or non-
public schools
• mechanism of enforcement – through the
Department of Education
14. • March 17
- public hearing on legislation, also
- BIAC Legislative Action Day at the Capitol
- partnered with the CATA
15. • Professionals, students, coaches and parents
all testified in support of the legislation
• Over 20 organizations signed on in support of
the bill
16. • April 22 - the bill passed unanimously
• May 18 - Public Act 10 – 62 signed into law
by the Governor
• July 1 - the act went into law immediately
3rd state (after Washington State and
Oregon) in the nation to have a
concussion bill
17. SINCE JULY 1, 2010
Connecticut – stagnated/no updates
parent education – 47 states mandate
athlete education – 46 states mandate
informed consent – 44 states require
youth sports concussion training – players,
coaches, parents, etc.
NONE PART OF CONNECTICUT LAW
18. Dr. Karissa Niehoff
Executive Director, CAS-CIAC
Update on the recently proposed legislature
19.
20. • part of CIAC Coaches Education Program
• 3 - hour course
• component of/embedded into CIAC 45
clock hour Coaches Certification Course
• also taught as a stand-alone
• taught by ATCs with athletic directors
21. CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT
COURSE (Module #15) CONTENT
The Concussion Legislation
Public Act No. 10-62
Basic Brain Anatomy
What is a Concussion ?
Linear vs Rotational
28. MODULE #15 ASSESSMENT
trained thousands of coaches to date
course needs some changes
more interaction
more impact videos
additional case studies
latest updates in the assessment and treatment