A Resource for Teachers, Clinicians, Parents, and Students by the Brain Injury Association of New York State.

For Teachers

 

What Is A Brain Injury?

Acquired Brain Injury
(ABI)

  • Injury to the brain after birth, which is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative

 

  • Includes brain damage resulting from strokes, aneurysms, anoxia, near drowning, toxic exposure or TBI
vs.

Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI)

  • Specific damage to the brain that results when the head:

 

  • Hits a stationary object, is hit, is penetrated, is violently shaken, etc.

Traumatic Brain Injuries can be categorized by severity…

Mild
Potential (but not necessary) loss of consciousness for less than 30 min.



Moderate
Loss of consciousness ranging from 30 min – 24 hrs.

Severe
Loss of consciousness lasting for more than 24 hrs.

Common TBI Signs and Symptoms:

Thinking/
Remembering

Physical

Emotional/
Mood

Sleep

Difficulty thinking clearly

Headache
Fuzzy/ blurry vision

Irritability

more than usual

Feeling slowed down

Nausea/vomiting
Dizziness

Sadness

less than usual

Difficulty concentrating

Sensitivity to noise/light
Balance problems

More emotional

Trouble falling asleep

Difficulty remembering new information

Feeling tired/having no energy

Nervousness/anxiety

Trouble staying asleep

 

www.cdc.gov/features/braininjury

  • Damage to the brain may vary in extent, area and type of damage depending on a variety of factors relating to the nature of the injury, severity of the injury, how it occurred and how quickly medical attention was sought.
  • Learn more about the structure and function of the brain with an interactive 3D brain

 

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How Can A Brain Injury Affect My Student’s Performance?

  • In general, a student who has sustained a brain injury may show difficulties with processing information, concentrating, test taking and communication among other things.  

  • The Learnet problem solving process that is emphasized on this site, addresses the most common ways that students’ performance is affected by brain injury.

  • As you work through the problems seen pages you will begin to see that the “problems” the student may be exhibiting, can be categorized into four groups:

    I. General/Medical
    II. Cognitive/Self Regulatory
    III. Behavioral
    IV. Social/Emotional

Begin the process by clicking on the most prominent problem that you have been able to clearly observe

Keep in Mind: a student with a brain injury often times has:

1. previous successful experiences in academic and social settings
2. a pre-morbid self concept of being “normal”
3. discrepancies in ability levels
4. inconsistent patterns of performance
5. more extreme problems with generalizing, integrating or structuring information
6. poor judgment and loss of emotional control which may make the student appear emotionally disturbed at times

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TBI Statistics

*1.7 million TBI related deaths, hospitalizations and emergency department visits annually in the U.S.

*TBI is a contributing factor in 1/3 of all injury related deaths in the U.S.

*Children aged 0-4, 15-19 and adults 65+ are most likely to sustain a TBI

*473,947 emergency department visits for TBI are made annually by children aged 0-14 years.

*Of Children , males 0-4 years have the highest rates of TBI related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths combined.
      
More information about TBI statistics can be found by visiting: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsTBI_BrainInjury

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Resources Available to Educators

NYS FACTS Coordinators:
FACTS coordinators provide local resources, training, information, advocacy and emotional support. The FACTS program is a unique New York statewide program offered at no charge for individuals who have sustained a brain injury prior to age 22, and their families.
http://www.projectlearnet.org/contact_us.html

 


 

This publication serves as an introduction for educators to the needs of students struggling in school, addresses the unique differences between TBI and other disabilities and provides ideas for classroom accommodations that target cognitive and behavioral challenges.

 


 

TBI Education: Offers evidence based information and resources for educators. Learn more about school reentry, teaching strategies and more.

 


 

Colorado's Department of Education-
TBI: A Manual for Educators

 

 

 


 

Fact sheet created by the Brain Injury Association of NYS



 

Returning to School After a Concussion: A Fact Sheet for School Professionals

A part of the "Heads Up" series created by the Centers for Disease Control-National Center for Injury Prevention and Control


 

Heads Up to Schools Fact Sheet

A part of the "Heads Up" series created by the Centers for Disease Control-National Center for Injury Prevention and Control



 

CDC-Concussion Signs and Symptoms Laminated Card

A part of the "Heads Up" series created by the Centers for Disease Control-National Center for Injury Prevention
and Control


 

Keep Moving Forward: Children with Brain Injuries

This documentary provides a moving account of the lives of three families with children who sustained brain injuries. The film focuses on changes in family dynamics, school-related issues, and the possibilities of lifelong recovery.

Created by the Brain Injury Association of NYS


 

This site is designed to provide educators and professionals with practical information that can be used to identify and provide appropriate services to children with a brain injury. Information provided includes a TBI identification protocol, manual, matrix, concussion information and additional resources.

 


 

Brain Injury Stories:
A blog by the Brain Injury Association of NYS

 

 


 

New Jersey Brain Injury Alliance: Guide for Educators http://www.tndisability.org/system/files/
u1/GuideforEducators2008.pdf

 


 

Helpful Handouts: Handouts created by the Brain Injury Association of NYS that explain neuropsychological assessment and various intervention strategies for individuals with TBI.

 

Collaborative Problem Solving

Lives in the Balance is a non-profit organization founded by child psychologist, Dr. Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child and Lost at School and the originator of the Collaborative Problem Solving approach. The approach serves as a model for understanding and helping kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

In addition to Lives in the Balance, Dr. Ross Greene maintains two other websites: www.cpsconnection.com for advanced training and certification for proficiency in CPS and www.cpsinitiative.com offering a complete package of information needed to implement CPS.

o Voices of Collaborative Problem Solving…

o Hear the stories of fellow teachers and school professionals around the country as they describe CPS and how it has helped them with some of their most challenging students.
http://www.livesinthebalance.org/
voices-of-collaborative-problem-solving

We are pleased to connect our users with another wonderful resource! We hope you find it useful.