Graham ISD is at the forefront of the diagnosis, treatment, and return to play of student athletes who have suffered a closed head injury or concussion. Many schools, however, have not put as much time and effort into the management of concussions and because of this the Texas Legislature passed HB 2038 which Governor Perry signed into law during the summer of 2011. HB 2038 mandates that each school district have a concussion oversight team which designs and implements the protocol for the diagnosis, treatment, and return to play of any student athlete who sustains a concussion. The concussion oversight team for Graham ISD that designed the protocol listed later on this page is comprised of Graham HS Head Athletic Trainer Mike Carroll M Ed, ATC, LAT, Graham HS Assistant Athletic Trainer Amy Arnzen MS, LAT, ATC and Graham Medical Associates physician Steve Jones MD.

One of the key elements in helping to diagnose and manage a concussion is cognitive testing. Graham ISD utilizes Sway Medical for it’s balance and cognitive testing (https://www.swaymedical.com/). We will attempt to baseline test all student athletes in Graham ISD grades 9 – 12 that participate in contact or collision sports. The idea behind the baseline test is to get the student athlete to take the test and get a score when they have normal brain function without an injury. If the student athlete suffers a head injury then approximately after the injury the student will take the Sway test and the two scores will be compared. At that point in time after an evaluation from the athletic trainers and the Sway test results are examined a diagnosis of a concussion may be made.  It is important to note that the Sway test is but one tool in the tool box of the medical professionals when attempting to determine the extent of a closed head injury as well as when the student athlete will be able to return to activity. The Sway test should never be used solely as the lone tool to determine the diagnosis. This should be used in conjunction with a thorough exam and the results of the test are just another piece of the puzzle.

You will find the following documents below:

• A copy of HB 2038
• Exercise progressions for once the student athlete is released back to activity 
• Graham ISD Post Concussion Return to Academics Modifications
• A current symptoms and conditions check sheet
• Concussion home instructions
• GISD Concussion Management Protocol
• GISD concussion Oversight Team 
• UIL return to play form to be signed by the parent or guardian of the student athlete who sustained a concussion.

For more information on concussions the Center for Disease Control has an excellent informational website (http://www.cdc.gov/Concussion ) If you have any questions about concussions, the Graham ISD concussion management protocol, or if you think your son or daughter may have a concussion please do not hesitate to contact one of the staff athletic trainers.

Mike Carroll M Ed, LAT, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer/Assistant Athletic Director
mike.carroll@grahamisd.com
940-549-4277x1605

Amy Arnzen MS, LAT, ATC
Assistant Athletic Trainer
amy.arnzen@grahamisd.com
940-549-1504x1811