ImPACT Pediatric: Baseline Testing for Ages 5–9 on an iPad

Baseline testing for young children presents unique developmental challenges. Children under 10 typically don’t have the sustained attention span, reading fluency, or mouse-and-keyboard proficiency needed for standard computerized cognitive tests designed for adolescents and adults. ImPACT Pediatric was developed specifically to address these challenges.

How the test works

The test runs on an iPad and uses game-like activities that young children find engaging and intuitive: matching shapes, remembering visual patterns, identifying differences between images, and responding to visual cues by tapping the screen. According to ImPACT Applications, a parent or guardian stays with the child throughout the 15–25 minute session — both for comfort and to ensure the child understands the tasks. The test generates composite scores in the same domains as the adult version (verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor speed, reaction time), enabling continuity of data as the child transitions to the standard ImPACT platform.

Why early baselines matter

UPMC Sports Medicine, which helped develop the pediatric version, notes that baseline testing is available for children as young as age 5 — well before most youth sports programs consider concussion management. Inova Sports Medicine recommends annual baseline renewal for children under 13, reflecting the rapid neurodevelopmental changes occurring in this age group. A baseline taken at age 7 may not accurately represent the same child’s cognitive function at age 9 — their brain has undergone significant maturation in those two years.

Transitioning to the adult test

The transition from ImPACT Pediatric to the standard adult ImPACT test typically occurs around age 10, depending on the child’s reading level and computer proficiency. Inova’s guidelines recommend that athletes transition when they can independently use a mouse and keyboard and read at grade level.

How we approach pediatric baselines

At Headquarters, we offer ImPACT Pediatric baseline testing for young athletes in a child-friendly, supervised environment. We know that testing a 6-year-old requires a different approach than testing a 16-year-old, and our trained administrators are experienced with pediatric populations. For more on age-based renewal schedules, see how often should you renew your baseline?

Frequently asked questions