Cambridge Scholars Publishing Concussion Competencies from a British Perspective: A Framework for Concussion Management

This book presents information needed for people working with concussion recovery, as well as anyone currently experiencing a concussion, especially those which are sports-related. There is currently no defined body of knowledge that practitioners in this field need to know, and this book serves to fill that gap. While medical attention is often needed at the beginning of the injury, the most important parts of ongoing treatment are behavioural, namely managing and monitoring the patient and engaging them in appropriate “active rehabilitation” strategies. The competencies described here address multiple constituencies, from medical personnel to patients. The book is designed to direct the reader to appropriate sections in a straightforward manner supported by evidence and research. The core focus here is on schools, where the consequences of sports-related concussion are significant. However, the knowledge competencies are broad enough to provide a solid education in concussions and what to do about them across various environments. About the Author Dr Arthur Maerlender is Associate Research Professor in the Center for Brain Biology and Behavior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, having retired as Director of Pediatric Neuropsychology Service at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in 2014. His research interests are in the areas of traumatic brain injury, sport performance, test development, learning disabilities and autism. He has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and books, and has served on numerous national and state-level committees and boards. Dr Jennifer Parent-Nichols, EdD, DPT, is a physical therapist and is certified as a paediatric specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, where she also serves a board member. She has earned certification as a brain injury specialist and certification in vestibular rehabilitation, and has worked extensively in the area of paediatrics with experience in early intervention, school-based therapy, and adolescent sports medicine. She is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Student Affairs for Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Tufts University, USA. Her areas of research include paediatric and adolescent sports medicine, and education. Sandra Stalker served as Director of General Qualifications and Life Skills at the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA), where she was responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the national curriculum, assessments and qualifications for 14-19 year olds in England. She played a significant role in shaping national education policy, including leading QCDA’s input into the 2004 report on 14-19 Education Reform. She has spent 27 years in the teaching profession and served as a Senior Educational Policy Consultant to the Governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura, from 1999 to 2003. Since 2011, she has worked as a freelance Education Policy Consultant, including work for the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).