Concussions 101, a Primer for Kids and Parents

The symptoms of a concussion can be tough for kids to recognize..
Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael's Hospital.

Conceived, written, and presented by Dr. Mike Evans
Illustrated by Liisa Sorsa
Produced, directed, and filmed by Nick De Pencier
Picture and sound edit by David Schmidt
Gaffer, Martin Wojtunik
Whiteboard construction by James Vanderkleyn
Production assistant, Chris Niesing
©2011 Michael Evans and Mercury Films Inc.

[tuckersdadnb]

I slipped and fell Dec 9th 2024. Spent 19 hours in the ER and am home recovering. I found this video on the Trauma NB site. I am extremely grateful for this video. 🙏 bless you all

[MsGingras]

Passed this along to our hockey league parents. Girls non contact hockey had a rash of concussions from unintentional contact and this video explained the facts to parents and players and why the league has taken it's position on concussions in "black and white". Many times players would question why they weren't allowed to play for a few weeks as their symptoms subsided and this explains it beautifully. This is a must view for all sports leagues.

[EricMillerPseudoNinja]

My six year old got her first concussion this week while on the playground. Thank you for this video she was able to follow along and understand her injury.

[cynthiaanndeen]

My son just suffered a concussion and this video was recommended to me from a friend - Great overview and gives helpful information about understanding what the person with the concussion feels - my son is frustrated and suffers still a week after he was hit during a hockey game. Who cross checks the goalie? Concussions are slow recovery injuries and this video helps - THANK YOU

[failboth]

This is by far the most fun and helpful video. I fell down the stairs last wednesday and Im home sick do to a concussion. I noticed having one after an hour that I fell, kept feeling a bit nauseous. Went to my doctor and he confirmed what I already knew. It is by far the most frustrating thing. So thanks for the awesome video. I shared it on my facebook to let people know what I have to do to get better.

[hyperpunk]

The Doctor at the ER sent me to this video. I got a concussion yesterday from slipping and falling on the ice. hit my head off the ground. The video is really helpful in understanding my injury. 

[olgaivanova]

Thank you! Watched with my 7yo who got a concudsion on her birthday and this is so great for both us parents and her the kid!

[alondra]

Just had a concussion two weeks ago and I've been in and out of doctors offices and I have barely been going to school. This video helped me understand concussions better. Thank you!!

[DocMikeEvans]

Hi Jenna, you're welcome share the video with football parents.
You can use the embed code provided by YouTube, found under the share heading just under the actual video

[marianneargenta]

Awesome video! Thanks Doc. I'm a K-7 special ed. teacher and this is perfect.

[DoanYuSi]

Thank you. I discovered this video at such a timely point... a couple of weeks after having a collision between my left temple and a 45-pound end of a weightlifter's bar. It's true. People around don't realize the seriousness of it. I certainly didn't until I experienced on-going symptoms after the 7-10 days the doctor said would be phase one. How complex is this injury!

[DocMikeEvans]

@PEELSVIDEOS Not sure what would make a good science project, but she's welcome to use the video

[motokrack]

thanks for your help, ive been concussed for four days, and you helped ne understand a bit clearer, what that means, you're exactly right about people thinking you are fine, when your not, i feel like im going to recover but im not sure,  

[ChristmasInjuryLawyers]

This is perhaps one of the easiest to understand videos that explain a concussion and what someone should expect if they have one. I think where some people get into trouble is when they get into a rush to return to play or work and they aren't honest about their symptoms.

[angelacatherinecote]

Excellent description and illustration of concussions for me, a parent of a hockey player. Thank you!

[LynnePedigoRidayReiter]

EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW THIS. I wish I did when each of my girls fell headfirst, one just riding her bike slowly, and the other from a hanging bar I installed myself in our home! Oh, and my first of ten concussions was when a dog chased me, fast! and I and my bike crashed in to a malibox. NEVER IGNORE A HEAD INJURY! Seek medical attention ASAP, and be alert to any mental and behavioral changes after the collision...thanks God there is much greater awareness and help available now!

[FromMJE]

Really superb presentation, done at a level that everyone can understand. Thank you very much!

[DocMikeEvans]

@LsBaba Hi. tough to give medical advice over internet and I dont have a perfect answer but... we know how to counsel people that have extreme risk (boxers, linemen, hockey enforcers) but we are still figuring out cause and effect in milder/infrequent concussions. My guess is your issue might be more garden variety mental health issues (ef depression, anxiety) which affect what we call your working memory.Your working memory helps you focus, blocks out distractions, and helps you complete tasks.

[TeamBirch]

Thank you DocMike for this-
My son is in 'recovery' from first concussion -
This video is a great tool for parents and children
-J. Birch

[lukeh]

I feel like these symptoms describe my daily life