Traumatic Brain Injury TBI Very Low Incidence Disabilities
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Very Low Incidence Disabilities TLSE 240
TBI – IDEA Definition l “Acquired injury to the brain caused by an external force that adversely affects a child’s educational performance and results in partial functional disability, psychosocial impairment or both…. ”
Not Covered l Brain injuries that are congenital (present at baby’s birth) l Anoxia (lack of oxygen to the brain) i. e. , choking, stroke or drowning
TBI can be due to…. . l. Closed l. Open Injury
Closed Injury l Brain whipped back and forth rapidly, causing it to rub against and bounce off the rough, jagged interior of the skull.
Closed continued l Neurofibers responsible for sending messages to all parts of the body are damaged l Stresses brain stem, a relay station l Physical, emotional, and cognitive consequences
Open Injury Insult to specific area of brain, such as gunshot wound or blow to the head l Usually only affects those functions controlled by injured parts l
Characteristics l. Unique to individual and injury l. Can have characteristics similar to LD, MR, ED/BD, Speech Impairments, or Physical Disabilities
Areas Typically Affected l l l l l Cognition Language Memory Attention Reasoning Abstract Thinking Judgment Information Processing Speech
Possible Physical Changes l Nothing to serious l 20% - Seizures; often subside l Spasticity or paralysis l Coordination problems l Physical weakness l Fatigue l Some strength resumes as brain heals
Physical Changes continued l. Headaches l. Visual/hearing issues l. Changes in senses
Possible Cognitive Changes l Comprehension l Problem solving l Concentration l Long and short term memory l Information processing l Poor judgment
Possible Linguistic Changes l Receptive language l Written language l Aphasia (inability to use language appropriately) l Word finding issues l Most speech and expression skills are regained
Possible Social, Behavioral, and Personality Changes l Temper outbursts l Euphoria l Restlessness l Anxiety l Irritability l 15 -25% struggle with depression l Poor self-monitoring skills
Causes of TBI Accidents ( especially motor vehicle) l Falls l Violence – related incidents l Child abuse l Shaken baby syndrome l
Causes continued l Sports and recreational injuries l Often mild and go unreported
TBI – other facts l TBI is the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults l 1 TBI per 15 seconds l Males 2 x as likely as females l Most prevalent 15 -24 and 75 and over l Alcohol is involved in half of TBI injuries
Assessment l Medical evaluation l CAT Scan identifies large area of bleeding or contusion l MRI identifies smaller and subtle brain anomalies l PET Scan measures some of the energyprocessing functions of the brain. Looks at how certain chemicals are being used by the brain
Assessment continued l Intellectual l Academics l Memory l Language l Motor l Personality l Others skills
Assessment continued Multi-disciplinary team l Often on-going to determine changes, improvements, or needs l Continued communication with neurological or medical experts l
Recovery l Motor skills return first l Rapid progress at first, then slower progress l Speech and language issues quickly recovered l Higher level skills and complex language skills remain difficult
Educational Implications l IEP or 504 Plan l Various therapies l Memory strategies l Accommodations and Modifications l Social needs
Very Low Incidence Disabilities l. Multiple-Severe l. Deaf blindness disabilities
Multiple - Severe l Often cognitive, sensory, and physical disabilities l Focus on functional skills l Require supports throughout life, usually l Group homes l Living longer
Deaf blindness l Often some residual hearing or vision l Need considerable supports l Often have additional disabilities l Less frequently in general education l Communication and functional skills
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