Traumatic Brain Injury
Federal Definition (Including IDEA) and other commonly used definitions)
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injury can have a significant impact on classroom performance and may affect cognitive, social, physical and psychological functioning which can vary from being quite severe or to being quite mild depending on the amount of damage. TBI usually results from accidents or from a blow to the head. TBI isn't used for a person born with a brain injury or injured during birth. For the most part, every brain injury is different as the part of the brain involved in the injury may vary. Many children will have lifelong disabilities as a direct result of TBI.
IDEA's Definition of 'Traumatic Brain Injury'
Our nation's special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines traumatic brain injury as "an an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psycho-social behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.” [34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7(c)(12)]
http://specialed.about.com/od/disabilities/a/tbi.htm
· Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Injury to the brain (not including conditions present at birth, birth trauma, or degenerative diseases or conditions) resulting in total or partial disability or psychosocial maladjustment that affects educational performance; may affect cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem solving, sensory or perceptual and motor disabilities, psychosocial behavior, physical functions, information processing, or speech.
· Open head injury. A brain injury in which there is an open wound in the head, such as a gunshot wound or penetration of the head by an object, resulting in damage to brain tissue.
· Closed head injury. Damage to the brain that occurs without penetration of the skull; might be caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking by an adult.
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 460)
Causations of disabilities (when known)
Under age five, accidental fall are the dominant cause of TBI, with vehicular accidents and child abuse causing substantial injuries as well. After age five, and increasingly through adolescence, vehicular accidents (including accidents involving pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, a cars) account for the majority of TBI; assaults and gunshot wounds are increasingly prevalent amount youths at older ages. Closed head injuries may be caused by a variety of events besides vehicular accidents, including a fall or abuse such as violent shaking of a child by an adult. (Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 463)
Characteristics of disabilities
· Motor-speech disorder. Loss or impairment of the ability to understand or formulate language because of accident or illness.
What does a student with (specific disability) need from a teacher (regarding structure and organization, curriculum, expectations, special adaptations, transition, and/or social relationships with peers)?
· Transition from a hospital or rehabilitation center to school.
· A team approach involving regular and special educators, other special teachers, guidance counselor, administrators, and the student’s families.
· An individualized education plan (IEP) concerned with cognitive, social/behavior, and sensorimotor domains.
· Educational procedures to help students solve problems in focusing and sustaining attention for long periods, remembering previously learned facts and skills, learning new things, dealing with fatigue, and engaging in appropriate social behavior.
· Emphasis on the cognitive processes through which academic skills are learned, not just curriculum content.
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 463)
Organizations that support, work for, or advocate for the disability.
Headway UK - http://www.headway.org.uk
Brain injury association is a registered charity in England. Its aims are to promote understanding of all aspects of head injury and to provide information, support and services to people who have suffered a head injury, their family and careers.
Cafe Plus - http://www.dreamscape.com/cafeplus/
Coffee shop for survivors of a head-injury to help combat feelings of isolation and assist in re-connecting socially and making friendships. Located in East Syracuse, New York.
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) - http://www.nashia.org/
Assisting state government in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families. Offers documents, fact sheets, information about state and federal programs, and an event calendar.
Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury - http://www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org/
Raising money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and other health care needs following traumatic brain injury.
Coma Recovery Association - http://comarecovery.org/
A non-profit organization for coma and brain injury survivors, family members, friends and professionals. Offerings include mutual aid and support, support group meetings, general information, referrals and advocacy.
Alabama Head Injury Foundation - http://www.ahif.org/
Provides support, referrals, recreation, resources, advocacy, community education, housing assistance, and information about events and meetings.
Oregon Brain Injury Resource Network (OBIRN) - http://www.tr.wou.edu/tbi/
A statewide resource center improving access to Brain Injury information. Offers resource and literature databases, family advocacy, educational consultants, and a bibliography. A library and newsletter are available to members.
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program - http://www.faast.org/bscip.cfm
The Florida Department of Health offers acute care, in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation, transitional living services, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and other services necessary for community reintegration. The BSCIP also provides public information, prevention, education and research programs.
The Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) - http://www.cbituk.org/
Aims to improve the quality of life for children and youth with a brain injury by providing a helpline, events, conferences, research, advocacy, grants, and funding information. Offers details about the family impact, medical aspects, educational concerns, legal issues, support groups, and resources throughout the UK.
Head Injury Society of New Zealand - http://www.head-injury.org.nz/
Provides basic information about brain injury, professional articles, poetry, stories, a newsletter, chat room, and contacts for local support groups.
Momentum Scotland - http://www.momentumscotland.org/
Pioneered the UK's first vocational rehabilitation service for people with traumatic brain injury. Services include community integration, mental health, employment support, job-retention programs, supported living, and assistive technologies.
Brain Injury Society - http://www.bisociety.org/
Serves acquired and traumatic brain injured individuals and their families. Contains information on ABI/TBI, legal issues, state's legal definition of TBI, SSI tips, online newsletters and a chat room.
European Brain Injury Society (E.B.I.S.) - http://www.ebissociety.org/
Brings the many professionals and associations involved in the field of brain injury together with the survivors and their families. Projects include developing evaluation guidelines, research in the Epidemology, database on medical, scientific and social aspects, seminars and training, promoting support groups and public awareness.
Pittsburgh Area Brain Injury Alliance - http://www.pabia.org/
Provides peer support, group development, advocacy, information on TBI and prevention, and contacts for local support groups.
Vancouver Island Head Injury Society - http://www.bc1.com/~vihis/
Non-profit group providing support, information, and activities for people with brain injuries, their families, and the people who support them in Victoria, B.C., Canada.
Waikato Head Injury Society - http://www.whis.nzl.org/
Provides advocacy, education, referral, counseling and support services to brain injured individuals in New Zealand. Check for meeting and event schedules as well as guides to understanding brain injury, coma, concussion, fatigue, solvent neurotoxicity, and rehabilitation.
Governor's Task Force on Traumatic Brain Injury - http://www.sherrystock.com/gtftbi/GTFTBI_index.html
Members resources, minutes, meeting times, and surveys. Also provides tasks to review, analyze, and recommend changes in Oregon's response, programs, and policies for TBI survivors and their families.
Weiss ABI Work Support Group - http://abigroup.homestead.com/
The New Orleans chapter for people with acquired brain injuries. Provides meeting information, resources, and writings by support group members.
BrainHelp - http://www.brainhelp.co.uk
Addressing the challenges faced as a result of brain haemorrhage or injury. Using streaming technology and other technologies, offers the following services; interactive chat, forums, Web advice, links to interesting sites, and a relaxation room.
The Ashlyn Dyer Foundation - http://www.ashlyndyer.com
In memory of Ashlyn Dyer. A foundation benefiting Neurological research and support for those with traumatic brain injury. Find details about the organization, stories and pictures.
The New York Academy of Traumatic Brain Injury - http://www.nyacadtbi.org/
A multidisciplinary, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to educating the professional, governmental, and public communities about traumatic brain injury (TBI). Information available on conferences and membership.
Central Okanagan Brain Injury Society - http://www.cobis.org/
Services include case management, family support, advocacy, public education, career counseling, work experience, job placement, job coaching and long term followup to TBI/ABI survivors in British Columbia.
Brain Injury Network - http://www.braininjurynetwork.org
BIN is an international and USA national survivor-operated brain injury nonprofit advocacy agency. Find a survivor Internet forum (SABI), and an advocacy Internet forum (FEASIBLE).
Traumatic Brain Injury Technical Assistance Center - http://www.tbitac.org/
Established to help states develop programs that improve access to health and services for individuals with TBI and their families. Offers guidance, assessments, training, resource materials, technical assistance, and an annual conference. Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Brain Injury Coalition of Greater Cleveland - http://www.braininjurycoalition.org/
Identifies services and service gaps centering on the needs of survivors of brain injury. News, events, case reviews, and resources for the traumatically brain injured.
The Wayne Howard Trust - http://www.waynehoward.org.uk/Trust/
The provision of advice, information, and financial assistance for the purchase of adaptive equipment and specialized treatment for persons in England who have suffered a brain injury, their families, and careers.
Nanaimo Brain Injury Society - http://nanaimobraininjury.org
NBIS exists to meet the unique and diverse needs of all persons affected by acquired brain injury. Find details about the organization and contact information. Nanaimo, BC.
The Brain Trust - http://www.the-brain-trust.org/
A non-profit organization providing emergency funding for essential goods and services to people with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury in Colorado.
CBIT Manchester - http://www.cbitmanchester.org.uk
The Manchester branch of The Child Brain Injury Trust supports anyone in the area affected by childhood acquired brain injury. Find fact sheets, activities, links and contact details.
http://www.ideallives.com/content.php?cid=1025
Long term implications of the disability on adolescents and adults
· Plans for addressing long-term needs in addition to immediate and annual IEP goals (DePmpei & Tyler, 2004,; Savage, 1988 Tyler & Mira, 1999)
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 463)
Current trends
· Behavior modification. Systematic control of environment events, especially of consequences, to produce a specific change in observable responses. May include reinforcement, punishment, modeling, self-instruction, desensitization, guided practice, or any other technique for strengthening or eliminating a particular response.
· Behavior management. Strategies and techniques used to increase desirable behavior and decrease undesirable behavior. May be applied in the classroom, home, or other environment.
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 466)
Annotated bibliography of at least 6 resources
(websites, booklist, articles) for each disability area
For further information, you might want to visit the Websites of the Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org) and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi.htm). (Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 460)
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injury can have a significant impact on classroom performance and may affect cognitive, social, physical and psychological functioning which can vary from being quite severe or to being quite mild depending on the amount of damage. TBI usually results from accidents or from a blow to the head. TBI isn't used for a person born with a brain injury or injured during birth. For the most part, every brain injury is different as the part of the brain involved in the injury may vary. Many children will have lifelong disabilities as a direct result of TBI.
IDEA's Definition of 'Traumatic Brain Injury'
Our nation's special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines traumatic brain injury as "an an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psycho-social behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.” [34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7(c)(12)]
http://specialed.about.com/od/disabilities/a/tbi.htm
· Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Injury to the brain (not including conditions present at birth, birth trauma, or degenerative diseases or conditions) resulting in total or partial disability or psychosocial maladjustment that affects educational performance; may affect cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem solving, sensory or perceptual and motor disabilities, psychosocial behavior, physical functions, information processing, or speech.
· Open head injury. A brain injury in which there is an open wound in the head, such as a gunshot wound or penetration of the head by an object, resulting in damage to brain tissue.
· Closed head injury. Damage to the brain that occurs without penetration of the skull; might be caused by a blow to the head or violent shaking by an adult.
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 460)
Causations of disabilities (when known)
Under age five, accidental fall are the dominant cause of TBI, with vehicular accidents and child abuse causing substantial injuries as well. After age five, and increasingly through adolescence, vehicular accidents (including accidents involving pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, a cars) account for the majority of TBI; assaults and gunshot wounds are increasingly prevalent amount youths at older ages. Closed head injuries may be caused by a variety of events besides vehicular accidents, including a fall or abuse such as violent shaking of a child by an adult. (Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 463)
Characteristics of disabilities
· Motor-speech disorder. Loss or impairment of the ability to understand or formulate language because of accident or illness.
What does a student with (specific disability) need from a teacher (regarding structure and organization, curriculum, expectations, special adaptations, transition, and/or social relationships with peers)?
· Transition from a hospital or rehabilitation center to school.
· A team approach involving regular and special educators, other special teachers, guidance counselor, administrators, and the student’s families.
· An individualized education plan (IEP) concerned with cognitive, social/behavior, and sensorimotor domains.
· Educational procedures to help students solve problems in focusing and sustaining attention for long periods, remembering previously learned facts and skills, learning new things, dealing with fatigue, and engaging in appropriate social behavior.
· Emphasis on the cognitive processes through which academic skills are learned, not just curriculum content.
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 463)
Organizations that support, work for, or advocate for the disability.
Headway UK - http://www.headway.org.uk
Brain injury association is a registered charity in England. Its aims are to promote understanding of all aspects of head injury and to provide information, support and services to people who have suffered a head injury, their family and careers.
Cafe Plus - http://www.dreamscape.com/cafeplus/
Coffee shop for survivors of a head-injury to help combat feelings of isolation and assist in re-connecting socially and making friendships. Located in East Syracuse, New York.
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA) - http://www.nashia.org/
Assisting state government in promoting partnerships and building systems to meet the needs of individuals with brain injury and their families. Offers documents, fact sheets, information about state and federal programs, and an event calendar.
Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury - http://www.bobwoodrufffamilyfund.org/
Raising money to assist members of the military with cognitive rehabilitation and other health care needs following traumatic brain injury.
Coma Recovery Association - http://comarecovery.org/
A non-profit organization for coma and brain injury survivors, family members, friends and professionals. Offerings include mutual aid and support, support group meetings, general information, referrals and advocacy.
Alabama Head Injury Foundation - http://www.ahif.org/
Provides support, referrals, recreation, resources, advocacy, community education, housing assistance, and information about events and meetings.
Oregon Brain Injury Resource Network (OBIRN) - http://www.tr.wou.edu/tbi/
A statewide resource center improving access to Brain Injury information. Offers resource and literature databases, family advocacy, educational consultants, and a bibliography. A library and newsletter are available to members.
Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program - http://www.faast.org/bscip.cfm
The Florida Department of Health offers acute care, in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation, transitional living services, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and other services necessary for community reintegration. The BSCIP also provides public information, prevention, education and research programs.
The Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT) - http://www.cbituk.org/
Aims to improve the quality of life for children and youth with a brain injury by providing a helpline, events, conferences, research, advocacy, grants, and funding information. Offers details about the family impact, medical aspects, educational concerns, legal issues, support groups, and resources throughout the UK.
Head Injury Society of New Zealand - http://www.head-injury.org.nz/
Provides basic information about brain injury, professional articles, poetry, stories, a newsletter, chat room, and contacts for local support groups.
Momentum Scotland - http://www.momentumscotland.org/
Pioneered the UK's first vocational rehabilitation service for people with traumatic brain injury. Services include community integration, mental health, employment support, job-retention programs, supported living, and assistive technologies.
Brain Injury Society - http://www.bisociety.org/
Serves acquired and traumatic brain injured individuals and their families. Contains information on ABI/TBI, legal issues, state's legal definition of TBI, SSI tips, online newsletters and a chat room.
European Brain Injury Society (E.B.I.S.) - http://www.ebissociety.org/
Brings the many professionals and associations involved in the field of brain injury together with the survivors and their families. Projects include developing evaluation guidelines, research in the Epidemology, database on medical, scientific and social aspects, seminars and training, promoting support groups and public awareness.
Pittsburgh Area Brain Injury Alliance - http://www.pabia.org/
Provides peer support, group development, advocacy, information on TBI and prevention, and contacts for local support groups.
Vancouver Island Head Injury Society - http://www.bc1.com/~vihis/
Non-profit group providing support, information, and activities for people with brain injuries, their families, and the people who support them in Victoria, B.C., Canada.
Waikato Head Injury Society - http://www.whis.nzl.org/
Provides advocacy, education, referral, counseling and support services to brain injured individuals in New Zealand. Check for meeting and event schedules as well as guides to understanding brain injury, coma, concussion, fatigue, solvent neurotoxicity, and rehabilitation.
Governor's Task Force on Traumatic Brain Injury - http://www.sherrystock.com/gtftbi/GTFTBI_index.html
Members resources, minutes, meeting times, and surveys. Also provides tasks to review, analyze, and recommend changes in Oregon's response, programs, and policies for TBI survivors and their families.
Weiss ABI Work Support Group - http://abigroup.homestead.com/
The New Orleans chapter for people with acquired brain injuries. Provides meeting information, resources, and writings by support group members.
BrainHelp - http://www.brainhelp.co.uk
Addressing the challenges faced as a result of brain haemorrhage or injury. Using streaming technology and other technologies, offers the following services; interactive chat, forums, Web advice, links to interesting sites, and a relaxation room.
The Ashlyn Dyer Foundation - http://www.ashlyndyer.com
In memory of Ashlyn Dyer. A foundation benefiting Neurological research and support for those with traumatic brain injury. Find details about the organization, stories and pictures.
The New York Academy of Traumatic Brain Injury - http://www.nyacadtbi.org/
A multidisciplinary, not-for-profit organization, dedicated to educating the professional, governmental, and public communities about traumatic brain injury (TBI). Information available on conferences and membership.
Central Okanagan Brain Injury Society - http://www.cobis.org/
Services include case management, family support, advocacy, public education, career counseling, work experience, job placement, job coaching and long term followup to TBI/ABI survivors in British Columbia.
Brain Injury Network - http://www.braininjurynetwork.org
BIN is an international and USA national survivor-operated brain injury nonprofit advocacy agency. Find a survivor Internet forum (SABI), and an advocacy Internet forum (FEASIBLE).
Traumatic Brain Injury Technical Assistance Center - http://www.tbitac.org/
Established to help states develop programs that improve access to health and services for individuals with TBI and their families. Offers guidance, assessments, training, resource materials, technical assistance, and an annual conference. Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Brain Injury Coalition of Greater Cleveland - http://www.braininjurycoalition.org/
Identifies services and service gaps centering on the needs of survivors of brain injury. News, events, case reviews, and resources for the traumatically brain injured.
The Wayne Howard Trust - http://www.waynehoward.org.uk/Trust/
The provision of advice, information, and financial assistance for the purchase of adaptive equipment and specialized treatment for persons in England who have suffered a brain injury, their families, and careers.
Nanaimo Brain Injury Society - http://nanaimobraininjury.org
NBIS exists to meet the unique and diverse needs of all persons affected by acquired brain injury. Find details about the organization and contact information. Nanaimo, BC.
The Brain Trust - http://www.the-brain-trust.org/
A non-profit organization providing emergency funding for essential goods and services to people with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury in Colorado.
CBIT Manchester - http://www.cbitmanchester.org.uk
The Manchester branch of The Child Brain Injury Trust supports anyone in the area affected by childhood acquired brain injury. Find fact sheets, activities, links and contact details.
http://www.ideallives.com/content.php?cid=1025
Long term implications of the disability on adolescents and adults
· Plans for addressing long-term needs in addition to immediate and annual IEP goals (DePmpei & Tyler, 2004,; Savage, 1988 Tyler & Mira, 1999)
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 463)
Current trends
· Behavior modification. Systematic control of environment events, especially of consequences, to produce a specific change in observable responses. May include reinforcement, punishment, modeling, self-instruction, desensitization, guided practice, or any other technique for strengthening or eliminating a particular response.
· Behavior management. Strategies and techniques used to increase desirable behavior and decrease undesirable behavior. May be applied in the classroom, home, or other environment.
(Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 466)
Annotated bibliography of at least 6 resources
(websites, booklist, articles) for each disability area
For further information, you might want to visit the Websites of the Brain Injury Association of America (www.biausa.org) and the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi.htm). (Hallahan, Kauffman, and Pullen, 2009, p. 460)