Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Concussion Program

What is the Concussion Program?

Our program brings together some of the nation’s top experts on concussions and brain injuries. Because of this expertise, we can evaluate, diagnose and manage any level of injury to your child’s brain.

We are dedicated to providing the right treatments at the right time to keep your young athlete safe and healthy as they recover from their injury. We are the region’s premier team for evaluating head injuries, with experts from many different fields, including:

  • Sports medicine
  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neurology Neurosurgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Athletic training

Our team is also involved in research that is transforming the diagnosis, treatment and care of concussion.

Our goal is to help your family safely return your child to school and sports after a concussion. If you think your child or teen has a concussion and wants to return to sports, please schedule an appointment with our team by calling 206-987-2109. We can see your child at our clinics in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett or Federal Way.

Why is it important to manage a sports concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury that can affect all aspects of life, including school performance and sports. Almost half of these injuries go undiagnosed. Concussion is a brain injury and can affect all aspects of life, including school performance and sports. Most concussions will resolve on their own, but require early identification, careful evaluation and specialized management.

If your child returns to play before the brain heals from the original concussion, any additional bump or blow can cause more damage. This can result in symptoms lasting longer, permanent mental and physical disabilities or even death. Our team has the specialized training and expertise needed to evaluate your child’s concussion and develop a treatment plan to safely help your child return to play.

How will the Concussion Program meet my child’s needs?

  • We will create an individual care plan to help your young athlete recover safely from their injury so that they can return to their regular activities, including school, sports and other physical activities.
  • We will work with teachers and schools to help your student manage schoolwork. Concussions may impact your child’s ability to complete tasks that were once normal before. Learn about concussion treatments.

Concussions can have complex effects on your child’s brain. Our Neuropsychology team can help your child after their concussion by studying how your child behaves, learns, remembers and thinks. Neuropsychologists use special testing to help diagnose problems. Their diagnosis helps guide decisions about return to play. Our neuropsychologists also work with our doctors and your school to create plans that make sure schoolwork and grades do not suffer as your child recovers from their sports concussion.

Contact Us

If you think your child or teen has a concussion and needs evaluation and care, or if you have questions about concussion, please schedule an appointment with our team by calling 206-987-2109. We can see your child in Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way or Seattle.

Telemedicine at Seattle Children’s

You may be offered a telehealth (virtual) appointment. Learn more.

Who treats sports concussions in the Concussion Program?

Providers who treat sports concussions include:

Leadership

Zackery Lystedt Law

The Concussion Program will help school and team coaches meet standards of a new state law requiring young athletes showing signs of concussion to have medical clearance before returning to play. The law is named after Zackery Lystedt, a Washington state teenager who suffered traumatic brain injury when he reentered a football game after suffering a concussion. The signs of and symptoms of his brain injury were not recognized. Watch Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the NFL conference on the Zackery Lystedt concussion law.

Learn More