Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by sudden trauma. (The exact definition of TBI, according to special education law, is given below.) Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later. See your doctor if your child has received a blow to the hear or body that is concerning or causes behavioral changes.
Anyone at anytime might be at risk for a TBI, the most common is from a fall or traffic accident. Approximately 1.7 million people in the U.S. are hospitalized for a brain injury annually. A traumatic brain injury can also change how a student learns and acts in school. The term TBI is used for head injuries that can cause changes in one or more areas, such as:
thinking and reasoning
understanding words
remembering things
paying attention
solving problems
thinking abstractly
talking
behaving
walking and other physical activities
seeing and/or hearing
learning
The term TBI is not used for a person who is born with a brain injury. It also is not used for brain injuries that happen during birth.
(Information adapted from the Center for Parent Information and Resources)
Helpful Organizations:
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“Our mission is to "Support, inform and assist brain injury survivors, their families, loved ones and caregivers."
Our vision is that we will educate the community about the impact of brain injury so they can embrace prevention strategies. We will serve brain injury survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones by providing the best information available to cope, grow and flourish.”
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