Suffering a mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion is frightening for children or teens and their parents. Concussions are also challenging because the trauma’s effect on your child’s brain can be hard to assess. That’s why the doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids use ImPACT®, a quick test that accurately measures the cognitive impact of a concussion. To learn more about ImPACT testing, call the office in The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, or Austin, Texas, or schedule an appointment online.
ImPACT — Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing — is a computerized test that objectively measures memory, attention span, and visual and verbal problem-solving ability.
A team of doctors and healthcare team who specialize in concussions developed the test, and it has been scientifically validated to accurately measure the effect of a mild traumatic brain injury.
ImPACT is given to student athletes before they engage in their activities to establish their baseline functioning. The test only takes 20 minutes, and then the results are stored in a HIPAA compliant server.
If your child subsequently suffers a concussion, or a concussion is suspected, the doctors and healthcare team at THINK Neurology for Kids administer the test again and compare it to the original results. With this information, your child’s doctor can accurately assess the cognitive impact of the concussion and use that information to guide treatment, return-to-play, and return-to-school decisions.
The damage a concussion causes typically leads to subtle changes in cognitive function that aren’t easy to assess based on symptoms. Some children have a hard time explaining their symptoms. Young athletes who are anxious to keep playing often hide their symptoms. Another concern is that there may be a days-delay with some symptoms.
Administering ImPACT testing allows THINK Neurology for Kids to immediately identify the severity of your child’s concussion regardless of what symptoms are apparent.
Determining the precise extent of your child’s brain damage is essential for determining how long their brain needs to rest from any physical and mental activity so it can fully heal.
Concussions occur when a blow to the head is severe enough to make your child’s brain hit against their skull, causing damage to brain cells and disrupting nerve communication. In most cases, children don’t lose consciousness. Their symptoms may develop immediately, or they may not appear for days.
The following are the three primary symptoms.
Many children also develop one or more of the following symptoms.
Your child may also change their sleeping habits, possibly sleeping more than normal or struggling with insomnia.
Even if a concussion seems mild, your child should be evaluated by the team at THINK Neurology for Kids to be sure they don’t have brain bruising or swelling.
To schedule an ImPACT assessment, call THINK Neurology for Kids or use the online booking feature.