CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline consists of 19 sets of clinical recommendations. These recommendations are designed for all healthcare providers who care for pediatric patients with this injury.
Key practice-changing recommendations from the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline include:
- Do not routinely image patients to diagnose mTBI.
- Use validated, age-appropriate symptom scales to diagnose mTBI.
- Assess evidence-based risk factors for prolonged recovery.
- Provide patients with instructions on return to activity customized to their symptoms.
- Counsel patients to return gradually to non-sports activities after no more than 2-3 days of rest.
- Free CDC Provider Tools, Training, and Patient and Family Resources
Have you used the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline? Tell us what you think by completing this less than 1 minute short survey!
CHECK OUT the TBI Toolkit Hub to access the Healthcare Providers Toolkit that includes the CDC Pediatric mTBI Guideline and extensive resources.
Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Tools
ACE Physician/Clinician's Office
ACE Care Plan - Return to School
ACE Care Plan - Return to Work
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool - Child SCAT5
Post Concussion Symptom Inventories (PCSI)
PCSI Parent 5-18 Pre-Post Injury
PCSI Self 13-18 Pre-Post Injury

- Brain Check Survey (BCS):This parent-completed screening tool, from the Life Outcomes after Brain Injury research center within the Department of Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, is used to establish a credible history of brain injury. Check out the Brain Check Survey Scoring Tool. Read more from Life Outcomes After Brain Injury Research Program.
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SAFE Child Screening Tool Birth to 3 Years Old: Young children are at high risk for sustaining brain injuries. Data gathered using the SAFE Child Screening Tool will provide information to help professionals develop and implement appropriate services.
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SAFE Child Screening Tool 3 Years Old to Kindergarten: Young children are at high risk for sustaining brain injuries. Data gathered using the SAFE Child Screening Tool will provide information to help professionals develop and implement appropriate services.
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Ohio State University (OSU) TBI Screening Tool: The Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Identification Method (OSU TBI-ID) is a standardized procedure for eliciting lifetime history of TBI via a structured interview. Read the full article.
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HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool: The original HELPS TBI screening tool was developed by M. Picard, D. Scarisbrick, R. Paluck, 9/91, International Center for the Disabled, TBI-NET, U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Grant #H128A00022. The Helps Tool was updated by project personnel to reflect recent recommendations by the CDC on the diagnosis of TBI.
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H - Have you ever Hit your Head or been Hit on the Head?
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E - Were you ever seen in the Emergency room, hospital, or by a doctor because of an injury to your head?
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L - Did you ever Lose consciousness or experience a period of being dazed and confused because of an injury to your head?
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P - Do you experience any of these Problems in your daily life since you hit your head?
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S - Any significant Sicknesses?
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Concussion Protocol and Things to Watch For Over Time

TN TBI Services Directory and Resource Information Guide
TN TBI Service Coordination Program
There are currently eight Service Coordinators (see list) located in various non-profit agencies across the state. The Service Coordinator’s role is to work with persons with brain injury and their family to access current needs. The goal of service coordination is to improve the quality of life for persons with brain injury.
Service Coordination services are provided free of charge, services include:
Develops a comprehensive plan of care
Provides referrals to available resources
Coordinates services for individual client advocacy
Bridges gaps in the service delivery system.
Virtual and In-person Brain Injury Support Groups have been established across the state. To learn more about services call 1-800-882-0611.

Children's Safety Network Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Guide

Healthcare Providers YouTube Playlist: A helpful collection of videos for Healthcare Providers featuring information such as Research Support, Toolkit Trainings, and the 6 Types of Concussions.
Healthcare Providers YouTube Playlist: A helpful collection of videos for Healthcare Providers featuring information such as Research Support, Toolkit Trainings, and the 6 Types of Concussions.
CDC Report to Congress On the Management of TBI in Children Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children is a significant public health problem in the United States. A traumatic brain injury disrupts the normal function of the brain, and can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a related injury.
The Report details the impact a TBI can have on children and their families. The report also:
- Identifies gaps in care
- Provides opportunities for action to reduce the gaps, and
- Highlights key policy strategies to address the short and long-term consequences of a TBI.