New app from Children’s National Hospital helps identify concussion signs in athletes

WASHINGTON (7News) — We’re in the middle of football season – whether it’s Monday Night Football or Friday Night Lights – and ahead of the action there’s an app from Children’s National Hospital called SCORE that will help you determine if your child, spouse, teammate, or anyone else has a suspected concussion.

“SCORE” stands for Safe – Concussion – Outcome – Recovery and Education.

7News Adrianna Hopkins spoke to the app’s creator, Child neuropsychologist Dr. Gerard Gioiawith Children’s National Hospital.

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He said people often just think of loss of consciousness as a sign of it concussion. But that only happens less than 10% of the time with concussions. He said to look for signs, including:

• Does the person take it slowly?
• Are you having trouble gathering their thoughts?
• Pain?
• Dizzy?
• Out of balance?

“That’s what should make you want to pick up the app and go through it more specifically. And the nice thing about it is that the app gives a little report of what you just shared. You can email that to your healthcare provider and say , this is what’s going on. What should we do?” said Doctor Gioia.

Dr. Gioia said there won’t always be a medical professional nearby if your child falls off a bike or skateboard. This app and report will give you a head start in preventing further trauma to that person’s brain.