What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain after birth, caused by the head being hit by something or shaken violently. More than 1 million children receive TBI every year. These areas of cognitive ability may be affected.

What Are the Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury?

Children with TBI may have one or more disabilities which will require input from the appropriate professionals, including:

• Physical disabilities : Individuals with problems speaking, seeing, hearing, and using their other senses. They may have headaches and feel tired a lot. They may also have trouble with skills such as writing or drawing. Their muscles may suddenly contract or tighten. They may also have seizures. Their balance and walking may also be affected. They may be partly or completely paralyzed on one side of the body, or both sides. May need help from speech therapists, physiotherapist, behavioural therapists or psychologists.


• Difficulties with thinking : Because the brain has been injured, it is common that the person’s ability to use the brain changes. For example, children may have trouble with short-term memory. They may also have trouble with their long-term memory. People with TBI may have trouble concentrating and only be able to focus their attention for a short time. They may think slowly. They may have trouble talking and listening to others. They may also have difficulty with planning and understanding the order in which events happen and judgment. May need extra assistance in school.


• Social, behavioral, or emotional problems : These difficulties may include sudden changes in mood, anxiety, and depression. Children may have trouble relating to others. They may be restless and may laugh or cry a lot. They may not have much motivation or much control over their emotions. May require help from doctor and maybe some medication.

Parents may notice new problems develop later on as their children start to use their brain in other ways, as in school activities. Some emotional problems may also arise as a child may remember what they were like before the accident, as will their family, friend’s teachers etc. Therefore it is very important to seek counseling and to plan carefully for the child’s return to school.

Parents will want to find out ahead of time about special education services at the school. And seek advice from doctors and psychologists. The school will need to evaluate the child thoroughly. This evaluation will let the school and parents know what the student’s educational and social needs are. The school and parents can then develop an Individualised Plan that addresses those needs.