Brianna Butler
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force.
Symptoms can be physical, cognitive, and/or emotional.
TBI
1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year.
5.3 million Americans live with a long-term disability as a result of TBI.
75% of TBI are classified as “mild”.Males are more likely than females to sustain
a brain injury, at any age.
Statistics
Frontal Lobe•Attention•Organization•Speaking•Personality•Mental Flexibility
Temporal Lobe•Memory•Understanding language•Sequencing•Hearing
Brain Stem•Breathing•Concentration•Heart rate•Sleep and wake cycles
Injuries scattered throughout both sides cause:•Reduced thinking speed•Confusion•Reduced attention and concentration•Fatigue•Impaired cognitive skills
Symptoms are similar in both, but the impact is very different. Children’s brains are still developing.
TBI in children have a more devastating impact.
The cognitive impairments in children may not show up immediately after the injury.
Problems arise when learning new and complex material. Also when be expected to behave in a socially appropriate way.
Adults vs. Children
35.2%
10%
17.3%
16.5%
21%
Falls
Assault
Motor Vehicle
Struck By/Agaisnt
Other
Causes of TBI
ABI or Acquired Brain Injury is an injury to the brain, which is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. It is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth. (Stroke, Tumor, ect.)
TBI vs. ABI
TBIABI
52,000 die275,000 are hospitalized1,365,000 are treated and released from an
emergency department
Among children ages 0 to 14 years2,685 deaths37,000 hospitalizations435,000 emergency department visits
Outcomes of TBI
Dizziness and balance problems, or vestibular disorders, occur after a brain injury. Symptoms are delayed and happen days or months after an injury.
Symptoms include: Visual, Hearing, and/or Cognitive/Psychological.
40% of individuals with a traumatic brain injury suffer from balance issues.
Balance and Vestibular Issues
Pain reliefNervousness or fearBlood clotsSeizures DepressionPsychotic symptoms or hallucinationsMuscle spasmsSleep disordersAttention or alertness
Medications
Allow time for restKeep environment simpleKeep instruction simpleGive feedback and set goalsBe calm and redirectProvide choicesDecrease chances of failureVary activitiesOver planDivide Tasks
Behavior Guidelines
Teachers may see these type of changes in a student after a brain injury.
Physical- tiredness, lack of interest, awkward and slowed movements/reactions, sensitivity to light/sound.
Cognitive- forgetfulness, sudden failure in learning new material, word-finding difficulties, inattention, problems with organization.
Emotional- moodiness, depression, anxiety.
TBI students in the classroom
Teachers should focus on helping TBI students in the following areas.
Attention/Concentration- Reduce distractions, divide work into smaller sections, ask student to summarize orally, use cue words to alert student to focus/pay attention. (look, listen, name) Establish a nonverbal cueing system.
Memory- Frequently repeat information, assignment sheets or post it notes, teach student to categorize or chunk information.
Teaching Strategies
Organization- Additional time, written checklists/schedules, outline of class lectures, color coated materials, have the student help plan a class activity to practice organization skills.
Following directions- provide oral and written instructions, ask student to repeat directions, underline/highlight material, slow down the pace, rewrite complex directions into simpler terms.
Teaching Strategies
http://biausa.fyrian.com/index.htmhttp://icahn.mssm.edu/research/centers/brain-
injury-research-center-of-mount-sinai/publications/students-with-tbi
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Resources