The Gwinnett County School District is teaming up with Gwinnett Medical Center to help students recognize when they have a concussion.
While county rules require student athletes to take a concussion test every two years, free tests will be given to anyone age 12 and up at more than a dozen Gwinnett County high schools tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The schools include: Archer, Brookwood, Central Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lanier, Mill Creek, Mountain View, Norcross, North Gwinnett, and Peachtree Ridge.
Baseline tests are conducted with a computer-based neurocognitive test called ImPACT which documents the brain function of an individual prior to an injury. The test, which looks at five areas including verbal, memory, visual memory, visual motor speed, reaction time, and impulse control, takes about 25 minutes.
Todd Wofford, varsity football coach for Central Gwinnett, says it’s important for everyone to know the signs of a concussion, not just athletes.
“Football has taken the brunt of the questions about it… (but) you can get a concussion on a skateboard… (or) riding a bike,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.
One of Woffard’s players, Timothy Wilkins, took his first test his freshman year and later had a scare on the football field.
“I got a little woozy and they sent me to the side and got me some water; then they sent me through the basic ImPACT test to see where I was, and after I got cleared I was available to come (back) in,” he says.
Those who take the test tomorrow will be given an identification number that they can present to a health care provider who is ImPACT certified should they suffer a potential concussion. The provider will be able to access the baseline information through the identification number.
Participants will also learn about the symptoms of a concussion and the long-term effects.
To register, you can visit http://gmc-rsvp.org/.
About the Author
