Sports Concussions and Getting Back in the Game… of Life

This is a unique book in that it not only talks about the growing concern today regarding concussions in sports, but it also offers a proven solution to mitigate or even eliminate the symptoms, when concussions don’t “just go away.” It’s called the Irlen Method. Originally developed to help struggling readers, the Irlen Method has been extremely successful in helping those with concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) lead a normal life without the pain of headaches and migraines, the strains of light sensitivity, the frustrations associated with poor academic performance, or the inability to relieve anxiety or even get a comfortable night’s sleep. This book also serves as a guide to parents and coaches, offering ways in which to detect concussion symptoms and how to discuss the issues with youngsters who don’t want to say anything because they want to get right back out on the field or on the court, despite the pain. Stories, and some sobering statistics, bring the seriousness of concussions to light. We emphasize the need for strong communication between parents, coaches and young athletes to prevent possible concussions and to understand when they do occur so that the injured player receives proper attention and testing. The book then explains how the Irlen Method can help eliminate the symptoms and concludes with a number of enlightening and very encouraging stories from athletes and from our military heroes who have also sustained concussions or TBI and have recovered from debilitating symptoms. Concussions cannot be eliminated in sports, or elsewhere. We can certainly make stronger efforts to avoid them through proper training and equipment to protect ourselves, but accidents will happen. The benefit of this book is learning about concussions and knowing that there is something available that can prevent the long lasting effects.

This is a unique book in that it not only talks about the growing concern today regarding concussions in sports, but it also offers a proven solution to mitigate or even eliminate the symptoms, when concussions don’t “just go away.” It’s called the Irlen Method. Originally developed to help struggling readers, the Irlen Method has been extremely successful in helping those with concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) lead a normal life without the pain of headaches and migraines, the strains of light sensitivity, the frustrations associated with poor academic performance, or the inability to relieve anxiety or even get a comfortable night’s sleep. This book also serves as a guide to parents and coaches, offering ways in which to detect concussion symptoms and how to discuss the issues with youngsters who don’t want to say anything because they want to get right back out on the field or on the court, despite the pain. Stories, and some sobering statistics, bring the seriousness of concussions to light. We emphasize the need for strong communication between parents, coaches and young athletes to prevent possible concussions and to understand when they do occur so that the injured player receives proper attention and testing. The book then explains how the Irlen Method can help eliminate the symptoms and concludes with a number of enlightening and very encouraging stories from athletes and from our military heroes who have also sustained concussions or TBI and have recovered from debilitating symptoms. Concussions cannot be eliminated in sports, or elsewhere. We can certainly make stronger efforts to avoid them through proper training and equipment to protect ourselves, but accidents will happen. The benefit of this book is learning about concussions and knowing that there is something available that can prevent the long lasting effects.

HELEN L. IRLEN, MA, BCPC, LMFT Helen L. Irlen is a pioneer and global leader in the area of visual processing problems and internationally recognized educator, researcher, and scholar. Ms. Irlen has been in the field of education for over 40 years. Her background includes School Psychologist, Licensed Child and Family Therapist, Educational Therapist, Board Certified Professional Counselor, founder and Director of the Adult Learning Disabilities Program at California State University/Long Beach. She is founder and Executive Director of the Irlen Institute, which has over 174 affiliated Irlen Centers worldwide, and over 7,000 educators have been trained to become certified Irlen screeners. Her method for treating visual processing deficits is used in 54 countries. She is the author of Reading By The Colors and The Irlen Revolution: A Guide to Changing Your Perception and Your Life; How a Simple Method Can Change the Lives of Children and Adults with LD, AD/HD, TBI, Dyslexia, Autism, Headaches, Medical Conditions, and Much More. She has been recognized for her dedication to working with children and adults and is listed in Who's Who in California, Who's Who in Asia and the Pacific Nations, International Woman of the Year (1999-2000), International Who's Who of Professionals, Kingston's National Registry of Who's Who, and the Dictionary of International Biography.