Tips and information on traumatic brain injury or TBI and school
Going back to school after a moderate or severe brain injury can create new challenges for a student's thinking, learning, behavior and communication in the classroom. These tip cards on acquired brain injury give information for educators, parents, and therapists to help children and adolescents learn in school.
A student with a moderate or severe brain injury can have learning challenges on returning to school. This tip card has information to help parents, therapists and educators prepare for the student’s return. It includes checklists for sharing medical and educational information with educators to assess the impact of the brain injury on physical, cognitive and social skills. The category of traumatic brain injury under the special education law is explained.
An IEP checklist for students with brain injury helps parents, therapists and educators identify the special educational needs of students with brain injuries in school. It explains how to develop teaching strategies, plan environmental changes, and write functional and effective educational plans.
Brain injury and ADHD are not the same. The cognitive challenges of students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often mistaken for an attention deficit (ADHD) or learning disability. This tip card helps educators and parents describe the similarities and differences among students with acquired brain injuries, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD). It explains why these conditions are so often confused and why special education services may be needed for students with brain injuries.
Teaching strategies can help the student with a brain injury in school. This tip card helps parents and educators identify effective teaching strategies for students with brain injury. It shows how to adapt instruction for students with cognitive difficulties and how to develop educational strategies for math, reading and writing.
Therapies for students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in school have different goals and resources than therapy in rehabilitation programs. This tip card explains how physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists work with educators and students with brain injuries in schools.
A student with a TBI or traumatic brain injury can benefit from neuropsychology. Many educators and schools are unfamiliar with neuropsychology and how this specialty can help a student with an acquired or traumatic brain injury. This tip card helps families, educators and therapists understand what a neuropsychologist does, select a neuropsychologist, make a referral for an evaluation, and request useful information.
Talking with parents of a child with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important as they know their child best. This tip card helps educators and teachers communicate with parents effectively to gain their perspectives, needs and priorities for their child in school.
In school transitions for a student with a TBI are often difficult. Changing teachers, subjects, and rooms in school can challenge this student. Changing grades and schools can be even more challenging. This tip card helps parents, educators and therapists understand the importance of planning for school transitions and organize needed information for a student with a brain injury.
The transition to adulthood when a student has a brain injury (TBI) requires careful preparation and planning. This tip card helps families, educators and students develop effective transition plans a student with TBI for adulthood, identify choices after high school, and find resources for adult services.
