Children – Brain Injury and Concussion Fact Sheets on children have information on physical, cognitive, behavioral, communicative, emotional and social consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at home, in school, and the community. Fact Sheets help parents, families, educators, caregivers and clinicians recognize the developmental effects of brain trauma and the special needs of children.
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability among children and youth. Students returning to school with traumatic brain injuries may have an entire range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, social and emotional challenges. Exposure to education can aid in the recovery of these functions. Much as schools promote learning, recovery is a re-learning process, so it is important for educators in the school system to provide support and services.
The transition from childhood to adolescence is fraught with many physical and emotional changes. It can be a difficult time for the child and parents alike. Most families experience a period of major adjustment to the child’s changing mannerisms, quest for privacy and greater independence. When a child experiences a brain injury, either at a younger age or during this period of transition, it commonly creates many more problems than a child arriving at this age without a brain injury.
Cognitive rehabilitation for children and youth with brain injuries (tbi) must address the developmental impact of brain trauma as the child matures. Children with traumatic brain injuries have unique needs for treatment and cognitive rehabilitation that are different from adults with brain injuries.
Children and youth with acquired brain injuries are less likely to receive inpatient rehabilitation than adults. School becomes the setting for cognitive rehabilitation for students with brain injuries. Consequently, families and educators become the long term providers of educational services and rehabilitation supports in local schools and the community.
The student with a brain injury will have changing educational needs as the latent effects of trauma to the brain emerge over time. So it is important for families and educators to work together as partners to identify and meet the needs of children and youth with brain injuries.
Recovery from brain injury is a long process for families and schools. An injury to a child’s brain is a physical and emotional trauma. Changing symptoms – a neurocognitive stall – may appear over a year after the brain injury. Students have new cognitive challenges in school as the brain recovers and learning becomes more complex in school. Family training and education of teachers on TBI are essential to help children cope and learn at home and in school.