Concussion from a sports injury doesn’t mean an end to a young athlete’s career, but improper care after an injury could sideline a player on the field and in the classroom. A concussion disturbs brain function after a sudden blow to the head. It is often “self-diagnosed” by athletes who relay their symptoms to coaches and parents. The most common symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness and/or memory, headache and nausea. Because these symptoms may be mild, or not apparent for several hours or days, a concussion is difficult to self-assess.

“Athletes are often eager to play again, sometimes sooner than they should, which is why an evaluation is recommended whenever a concussion is suspected,” says Martin Diorio, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in treating concussions at Good Shepherd. “It is imperative to minimize the risk of permanent brain damage.”

Good Shepherd offers an objective tool to evaluate head injuries. The ImPACT™ Concussion Management System, used by many sports organizations including the NFL and Major League Baseball, tests the injured athlete’s cognitive skills and compares results against the athlete’s own pre-injury baseline test or the results from a group of healthy people the athlete’s age.

“It assesses verbal and visual memory and reaction to stimulus,” explains Dr. Diorio, who is certified to administer ImPACT. “Good Shepherd’s neuropsychologists then make recommendations for returning to academics and physical activity. The goal is to keep these students and athletes from returning too soon in order to avoid long-term brain damage.”