REAP Manual and Get Schooled on Concussions (GSOC)
Karen McAvoy, PsyD
Despite the difficulties of COVID-19, the Brain Injury Safety Net (Safety Net) program is continuing to create and distribute new resources about concussion management in young people. The Safety Net Taskforce has worked hard all summer creating videos and other educational materials for the website, www.braininjurysafetynetsc.com. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that we have been able to use our grant funds to give any professional or parent in South Carolina access to Dr. Karen McAvoy’s online Return to Learn (after a concussion) platform called “Get Schooled on Concussions”!
Concussions happen every day to everyday students -- not just athletes. Injury is possible regardless of whether or not students are in or outside the classroom. While most of us are familiar with sport-related concussions, all students with a concussion must return to school, even if they do not return to athletics. And, just because kids are not in school in-person right now doesn't mean they're not all at risk: kids are still at risk of concussion during COVID-19 at home, in the car, and during play time.
FACT OR FICTION?
FACT: While concussions can cause learning and (sometimes) emotional/behavioral problems; concussions don’t just cause headaches.
FACT: 100% of students with a concussion must return to school even if they never return to sport.
FICTION: Resources that support the initiative for a student to Return to Learn are limited, hard-to-follow, time-consuming, and expensive.
The concept of Return to Learn can be complicated and confusing at times. Get Schooled On Concussions provides a series of videos covering the most popular questions regarding concussion and concussion management. The video content is accessible, pragmatic, and takes up just six minutes at a time.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Teachers everywhere should take advantage of the opportunity to support students as they recover -- the role of educational leaders is especially important given that the majority of concussions resolve within 1-to-4 weeks. Students with symptoms are likely to return to the classroom during this time frame, so teachers everywhere can be vital allies in healing and recovery if they have the right resources.
WHO CREATED THIS RESOURCE?
Karen McAvoy, PsyD
Dr. McAvoy is dually credentialed as a clinical and school psychologist. She is a nationally renowned pediatric concussion management expert, the original author of the REAP manual, and co-author of Get Schooled On Concussions (GSOC). Dr. McAvoy provides training to multi-disciplinary school teams on the impact of brain injury and neuro-diversity on learning and behavior.
To learn more about the REAP Manual, click REAP 101 Overview by Dr. Karen McAvoy to watch Brain Injury Safety Net webinar featuring Dr. Karen McAvoy:
WHAT IS GET SCHOOLED ON CONCUSSIONS [GSOC]?
The Get Schooled On Concussions [GSOC] curriculum helps teachers with practical strategies and guiding literature as students Return To Learn following a concussion. GSOC's mission is to empower educators to take control over how concussions are handled in their classrooms," -- no one knows the environment better than the educators who manage it. Continue reading the blog for detailed information on Get Schooled on Concussions, or click Get Schooled on Concussions with Dr. Karen McAvoy to watch a Brain Injury Safety Net webinar featuring Dr. Karen McAvoy.
WHAT COMPRISES THE GSOC PROGRAM?
Get Schooled On Concussions is an accessible curriculum outlining the importance of not only understanding concussions, but how to manage the academic environment and adjust the learning setting for the best possible recovery outcome.
This course includes videos, tip sheets, the Teacher Acute Concussion Tool [TACT], as well as Return To Learn [RTL] Lesson plans. Educators can feel confident that, in just a brief and easy-to-follow curriculum, they are fortified with:
--a solid understanding of what concussions are
--how symptoms manifest in the classroom
--what immediate accommodations can be made to assist in recovery
WHO IS THE GSOC PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR?
A student concussion must be supported by school professionals who have a clear understanding that if the immediate demands of school are not adjusted in light of his or her injury, students are at risk of increased or prolonged symptoms. This is why the Return To Learn initiative is vital to our students -- both literally and physically.
The GSOC curriculum is designed for classroom teachers and related service providers, who function across a wide array of disciplines to support students and student life. These include general education teachers, classroom teachers, counselors, school nurses, administrators and other key staff.
WITH HOME-SCHOOLING, WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT CONCUSSIONS?
Even though students may not be at school, they may still get concussions. Vehicular and playground accidents, as well as falls, are three of the most common circumstances in which a student may get a concussion. While COVID-19 has changed much in the way our children play and interact, it has not necessarily reduced the risk of concussions or concussion-related effects, both in the short and long-term. This is why as many caregivers as possible need to "Get Schooled" in information on how to assist students in their recovery from their concussion, even when educators are stretched to the max with COVID-19 adaptations.
All Get Schooled On Concussion materials are available virtually and can be downloaded and shared between caregivers and educators regardless of the location that a student is attending school; whether e-learning at home or in a brick-and-mortar school building. Teachers need access to these resources to support their student recovering from a concussion, as does the parent or guardian in charge of their physical safety while learning at home. This on-demand and self-paced learning platform is specifically designed with the educational environment in mind.
HOW DO I ACCESS THIS CURRICULUM:
The Brain Injury Association of SC recently purchased a 3-year subscription to GSOC that provides statewide access for all schools, healthcare providers, parents, athletic trainers, and teachers to assist with creating a unified front when determining when a child should Return to Learn post-concussion. To request access to this portal and utilize this resource (at no cost to you) please visit: https://www.braininjurysafetynetsc.com/get-schooled-portal-form.
Some of the resources provided during both of Karen McAvoy’s webinars can be found below. Please be sure to check out these resources as well as take the post-survey assessment.
Get Schooled on Concussions Website