SCORE Concussion Education and Baseline Testing Program

The Safe Concussion Outcome Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program of Children's National Medical Center offers a state-of-the-art, comprehensive model of youth concussion care. Our community-based services begin before the injury with education and training of parents, coaches, athletes, schools, and medical professionals focusing on injury prevention strategies. Coaches and doctors are also taught skills to recognize a suspected concussion and respond appropriately to safeguard the child/teen. The program provides consultation to sports league leadership to help develop the necessary safety policies and procedures. On a broader level, the program provides consultative guidance to state and federal legislators, national professional organizations, CDC, and national governing bodies of youth sports to promote effective concussion safety measures. Pre-injury baseline assessments of neurocognitive functions and symptoms of youth athletes are conducted, assessing key areas of function such as memory, learning and reaction time. This information may be used in the event of a concussion to better understand and manage the youth's injury. The program is similar to the concussion programs used in high school, college, and professional athletic organizations.

The goal of the community education, training and baseline testing component of the SCORE Concussion Program is to improve community understanding of concussions and response post-injury.

In 2012, The SCORE Concussion Education and Baseline Testing Program provided baseline testing and student athlete education to 1,522 children, lead 32 parent and coach education sessions, and conducted workshop training in more than 30 schools.

In 2012, The SCORE Concussion Education and Baseline Testing Program provided baseline testing and student athlete education to 1,522 children, lead 32 parent and coach education sessions, conducted workshop training in more than 30 schools, and delivered over 30 grand rounds and lectures to physicians and other healthcare providers.