Development in Children after Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury in children affects them differently than adults. The brains of infants, toddlers and preschoolers are especially vulnerable to a traumatic injury as they are in early stages development and maturation. This tip card helps families, educators, and clinicians understand the possible impact of brain trauma on brain development in very young children by correcting common myths.

Myths and facts about brain injury in children can confuse families and educators. Trauma to a child’s brain can interrupt and delay cognitive, physical, social, communicative and behavioral abilities. The full effects of a childhood injury are not always immediately visible as the child’s brain is still developing. Information on brain injury in children helps parents, educators, therapists and doctors correct common misunderstandings and change attitudes by giving accurate information about pediatric brain trauma.

The self esteem of a child can change with a TBI or traumatic brain injury. This tip card helps families and educators understand the effects of a brain injury upon a child’s sense of self. It provides suggestions for building a child’s self esteem after the onset of a disability or impairment with a special focus on recognizing the child’s strengths and encouraging independence.

A child’s safety after a brain injury is a prime concern for families. Changes in cognition, behavior, or physical abilities after a brain injury can increase a youth’s risks for repeated head injuries. This tip card helps parents, educators and counselors identify a child or adolescent’s risks for repeated brain injuries with practical suggestions on guidelines for safe activities.

Communication abilities can change over time in a child with a brain injury. This tip card helps parents, educators, and therapists understand how a brain injury affects speech, language and communication. It shows how to identify changes over time as the child’s brain develops and how to refer a child for an evaluation in school.