WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Testing young athletes for head injuries

November 25, 2011

Fourteen-year-old Mark Accardo suffered a concussion during a soccer game.

"I was sliding for a ball as a goalie and a kid kicked me in the head," he said.

"It was horrible," mom Silvia said. "I knew the moment I saw it that he was hurt."

But Mark's parents and his doctor were well-prepared for a head injury. Before the season started, the teen took a baseline test called "Impact," which measured his verbal and visual memory, and motor skills.

After his concussion, he was tested again. His results were different-- helping doctors assess his injury.

"Having the baseline is very helpful because everyone has different cognitive abilities. Some people have difficulties with certain components of memory or certain components of cognition," said Dr. Jennifer Gray of St. Charles Hospital.

Baseline concussion testing is becoming more common for kids and athletes. Doctors say it helps them develop a treatment plan for injuries and determines when it's safe to return to play.

"The good thing about that testing in particular is that it can pick up subtleties that we can't do in a half an hour exam with a student or adult," Gray said.

Accardo's parents say the test helped them better understand their son's injury.

"Until now, we didn't know all the consequences that a concussion or a second concussion could have," Silvia Accardo said.

Mark had to take it easy at first, but now he's back in the game.

Doctors say kids and teens are more likely to suffer a concussion and also take longer to recover than adults.