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TULSA, Oklahoma — Parents, coaches, and teachers got a lesson in brain injuries Friday at Union High School.
The focus was specifically on concussions, which have become more common in sports like football.
See a list of symptoms and ways to prevent concussions
Suzanne Mobley took advantage of the meeting and got an earful on the topic.
“I thought it was great. I’m glad that Oklahoma is a proactive state,” she said. “I was proud to hear we were number 4 in the nation or the 4th in the nation to come onboard with this, with the new legislation; so I’m glad we’re taking an active role.”
Mobley’s son plays basketball, which is one of several sports where concussions could happen. Mobley says she’s walking away learning something new.
“Girls on the spirit squads with concussions, I hadn’t thought about that,” Mobley said. “So I think any athlete on any level susceptible to brain injuries.”
Experts like Dr. David Siegler with Child Neurology of Tulsa says a child doesn’t have to be knocked unconscious to suffer the effects of a concussion.
“It’s hard to know if a child is having a symptom because it’s really internal,” he said.
Brain experts say it can leave the victim with a number of problems. They say every athlete is different and symptoms could vary.
“They may just think its normal, so it takes some time to figure it out,” Siegler said.
Symptoms may not come up until days or weeks after the injury.
Doctors recommend that parents be on the lookout for any changes in their child’s behavior following a game, then follow up with a doctor.
Experts also remind parents to be patient with your child’s recovery time if they suffer from a brain injury because everyone is different.