Traumatic Brain Injury

Stephanie GarwoodSpring 2015

SPED

According to IDEA: “Traumatic brain injury means 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. Traumatic brain injury 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; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.”

What is TBI?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of disability and death in

children and adolescents in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the two age groups at greatest risk for TBI are age 0-4 and 15-19.  Among those ages 0 to 19, each year an average of:

• 62,000 children sustain brain injuries requiring hospitalization as a result of motor vehicle crashes, falls, sports injuries, physical abuse and other causes

• 564,000 children are seen in hospital emergency departments for TBI and released.

Among children ages 0 to 14 years, TBI results in an estimated in: • 2,685 deaths • 37,000 hospitalizations • 435,000 emergency department visits

• Approximately 1,300 U.S. children experience severe or fatal brain trauma from child abuse every year.

Incidence Statistics

Difficulty with short and long term memory. Problems concentrating. Issues with maneuvering or paralysis. Struggles with building relationships. Have difficulties with learning new skills. Cannot follow complex directions. Impacts additional areas such as: Memory and

cognition, social skills, emotional regulation, attention, behavior, speech and language, and physical health.

Characteristics of Children with TBI

Dividing work into smaller sections. Reduce distractions in the classroom. Demonstrate what you want the student to do

with verbal communication and visuals. Frequently repeat and summarize information

given to the student. Provide oral and written instructions. Slow down the pace of giving instructions. Connect new information to prior knowledge that

is relevant. Provide positive feedback.

Effective Instructional Strategies

Evaluate your own teaching:

Monitoring the student’s performance Recording the student’s progress Review student progress Change instruction as needed until progress is

made

Effective Instructional Strategies Cont.

Accommodations and Modifications

Allow extra time Use of assistive

technology Modify tests Post rules using pictures

and words Eliminate distractions Provide frequent breaks Use of mild, consistent

consequences Teacher circulation

Color coded materials Consistent schedules Teach:

Expected behaviors Study skills Sequencing skills Visual imagery Memory strategies

Small group instruction Individualized instruction Provide immediate

feedback

Assistive Technology

Talking spell checker/dictionary Talking word processing software Concept mapping

software/templates Word prediction software Multimedia software Keyguard for keyboard Macros/shortcuts on computer Abbreviation/expansion Accessibility option on computer Screen reader software Alternate keyboards Voice recognition software Communication cards or boards Voice output communication device Adaptive paper

Voice output reminders Electronic organizers/PDA’s/Palm

computers Pagers/electronic reminders Large display calculators Talking calculators Voice input calculators Math software Portable word processor Picture supported software Single word scanners Enlarged text/magnifiers Recorded text/books on tape/e-

text/ipod/MP3 player Scanned text with OCR software

The most crucial information that is given and taught to

a child with TBI is what is listed in the accommodations and modifications section.

Teach: Expected behaviors Study skills Sequencing skills Visual imagery Memory strategies

With these skills and strategies, the child will be able to become more independent that will show in their work, within the school, and within their home.

Building Student Independence

Keeping in touch is key. Allow the teacher to know how the child is

doing at home: whether it is daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc.

Share observations via technology IEP Teacher needs to clarify instructional practices

that have been effective with the parents. Strategize together on what has been

successful.

Teachers and Parents/Guardians:

Collaboration

http://www.biausa.org/brain-injury-children.htm http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/06/childr

en-with-traumatic-brain-injury-a-parents-guide-_pageall.html

http://cbirt.org/tbi-education/instruction-strategies/effective-skills-teachers-students-tbi/

http://www.dlcak.org/files/pdf/Publications/EducatingStudentswtihTBI.pdf

https://www.naset.org/traumaticbraininj2.0.html#c9621

http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/tbi/

Informational Websites about TBI

Accommodations & Modifications in the Secondary Classroom for a

Student with Traumatic Brain Injury. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sped.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/sped/doc/tbi-mod-sec.doc

Brain Injury in Children. (2014). In Brain Injury Association of America. Retrieved from http://www.biausa.org/brain-injury-children.htm

Bowen, J. M. (2015). Classroom Interventions for Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries. In brainline.org. Retrieved from http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/07/classroom-interventions-students-traumatic-brain-injuries_pageall.html

Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004. (2004). In ED.gov U.S. Department of Education Promoting educational excellence for all Americans. Retrieved from http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,regs,300,A,300%252E8,c,12,

Fenell, Z. (2013). Traumatic Brain Injury. In Special Education Guide. Retrieved from http://www.specialeducationguide.com/disability-profiles/traumatic-brian-injury/

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). (2013). In do2Learn. Retrieved from http://www.do2learn.com/disabilities/CharacteristicsAndStrategies/TraumaticBrainInjury_Characteristics.html

References