Safe Concussion Outcome Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program
Contact number
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202-476-2429
Do You Have Questions About Concussions?
The SCORE team wants parents, coaches and teachers to be informed about concussions. We've put together a comprehensive resource page to keep you informed and help with any concerns.
Learn more
The Safe Concussion Outcome Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program at Children’s National Hospital evaluates, monitors and manages the care of children and adolescents with concussions (known as mild traumatic brain injury or TBI). The program consults with physicians regionally and nationally, as well as scholastic and youth recreational sports programs in which children are vulnerable to injury. Clinicians in the SCORE program have a specific expertise in managing academic needs and will work with your school to assure a safe and effective return to school.
The SCORE program is one of the only programs in the greater Washington, D.C., area that specializes in the evaluation and management of concussions in children. In addition to its primary focus with youth, the SCORE program also services college and professional teams including the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals and D.C. United.
Our program has four goals:
- Provide the highest level of service to children, adolescents and young adults with concussions/mild TBI
- Increase research-based knowledge, skills and instrumentation used in evaluation and treatment
- Develop the next generation of highly qualified professionals to treat children and adolescents with concussions/mild TBI
- Improve the general knowledge and skill of persons in the medical, educational and athletic community regarding the specific treatment/needs of individuals with mild TBI/ concussion
Clinical Services
The SCORE clinic is staffed by neuropsychologists and neuropsychology post-doctoral fellows who specialize in precise identification, monitoring and management of children, adolescents and college student-athletes, ages 4 to 22, who have sustained a concussion.
We offer clinical appointments throughout the week in our various locations: Rockville, Prince George's County, Annapolis, Takoma Theatre (D.C.), and Salisbury, MD.
The program uses specialized state-of-the-art testing and symptom assessments, which are sensitive to detecting concussion-related dysfunction. The clinic works collaboratively with neurology, behavioral medicine, sleep medicine and physical therapy to treat all aspects of the injury.
Clinicians in the SCORE program use these findings to make detailed recommendations to patients about returning to school, play and work.
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Parents of children experiencing initial symptoms of a concussion should call 202-476-2429 to make an appointment. An appointment should be made if a child is experiencing the following:
- Headache or pressure in head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Double or blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Fatigue
- Mental fogginess
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Feeling slowed down
- Sadness or irritability
- Sleep disruption
Emergency Department referral is recommended within the first 1-2 days after injury for children with sudden onset of any of the following signs of possible neurological deterioration, including:
- Headaches that worsen
- Looks very drowsy or can’t be awakened
- Can’t recognize people or places
- Change in state of consciousness
- Focal neurologic signs
- Increasing confusion or irritability
- Neck pain
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Repeated vomiting
- Unusual behavioral change
- Weakness or numbness in arms/legs
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Through research investigation, the SCORE program aims to increase knowledge, skills and instrumentation in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and young adults with mild TBI/concussion.
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SCORE aims to improve the knowledge and skill of people in the medical, educational and athletic community regarding the specific needs of individuals with mild TBI/ concussion. Faculty and fellows in the SCORE program disseminate the latest information to families, patients, school personnel, physicians and other health providers, and community agency personnel through seminars, workshops, in-services and consultations.
Contact Us
To reach out administrators, call 301-765-5430 or fax us at 301-765-5497. For appointments, call 202-476-2429.
We are located at:
15245 Shady Grove Rd, Suite 350 (South Building)
Rockville, MD 20850
Concussion Program Team
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Gerard Gioia
Division Chief, Neuropsychology
Director, Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery and Education (SCORE) Program
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Julie Newman
Neuropsychologist
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