Repeated concussions and their potential effects—especially among children who participate in youth sports—are an understandably worrisome issue. It’s deeply upsetting for parents to learn their child has suffered a traumatic brain injury of this type, especially following news reports in recent years about the lasting damage some professional athletes have experienced after repeated concussions. Parents should consider the risks of their children suffering repeated concussions versus the benefits to the body and brain of participating in sports at a young age.

It’s crucial to understand that sometimes young people as well as adults who have sustained concussions are more vulnerable to suffering them again. Several factors likely play a role in this, including improper identification and diagnosis of concussions and poor concussion management after the injury. Simply put, even when the symptoms of a concussion seemingly “go away,” there still may be healing in the brain taking place that can be hindered by getting back into the game too soon.

A young athlete needs a team of supportive individuals—from family members, teammates and coaches to healthcare professionals. These “teammates” should be familiar with the symptoms of a concussion, while also understanding that not all concussions will present the same way, nor will they resolve the same way or in the same amount of time.

Healthcare professionals on this team should look for trends in an individual’s history, while understanding recovery from a third or fourth concussion may present in different ways. For friends and family members, it’s important to have confidence the physician will take all the necessary measures to ensure an appropriate workup and treatment plan. This helps to assure parents their child will return to their sport only when it is as safe as possible.

Thankfully, safety measures adopted in recent years should reduce the likelihood of concussions and head injuries in youth sports leagues as well as at the collegiate and professional levels. These measures include limiting the number and duration of tackle practices in youth contact sports, eliminating heading the ball in soccer at certain age levels and in-game rule changes in many sports.

Another critical factor, particularly for young athletes and their parents, is education about concussions. It wasn’t long ago that concussions commonly were regarded as just “shaking out the cobwebs” and that players should “get back out there.” As a neurologist and board-certified brain injury medicine specialist, I am proud to say that those days are by and large behind us. Fortunately, many people have come to realize these injuries are significant and require time to heal. Still, it’s crucial to continue helping coaches, parents and young athletes understand the seriousness of concussions and to eliminate the stigma associated with brain injuries.

There still is much to learn about concussion-related brain injuries. However, research in recent years has enabled clinicians to manage concussions, particularly among youths, much more safely. Parents can take comfort in that.

Read: Can I Treat My Child's Injury at Home?