Traumatic Brain Injury

Acquired Brain Injury

Parts of Visual System Affected

Acquired brain injury takes place at the cellular level of the brain and can affect cells throughout the entire brain rather than just a specific location of the brain. As a result the student may have double or low vision, muscle spasms, balance problems,

motor coordination,headaches/migraines, and seizures.

Description

Acquired brain injury refers to various injuries that are not a result of traumatic external force injury to the head.

Illnesses such ashydrocephaluses- encephalitis or meningitis, or anoxic injury which reduces oxygen flow to the brain. Anoxic injury may be caused by: strokes, brain tumors, metabolic disorders, lead poisoning, insulin shock, kidney or liver disease aneurisms, cardiac arrest, substance abuse or near drowning.

Effects ofthe Condition on Visual System

The part of the brain that is affected will impact the child’s vision in different ways. The student may have double or low vision requiring specific vision impaired instruction.

Treatments

Students may be involved in medical rehabilitationphase and need to leave school for various treatments. The nurse at the school may develop a Health Care Plan for the child.

Student may be given medication for seizures, personality or behavioral issues, migraines, or other medical problems that have resulted from the injury. Often the student’s diet is monitored to ensure that proper nutritional needs are met. Music therapy is often used as a treatment for people with brain injuries.

How This May Affect Your Student at School

Acquired brain injury may cause the student prolonged absences from school during the rehabilitation phase causing them academic challenges. Although no two children with brain injuries are exactly the same there are a number of strategies that can help them are successful in school.

Many instructional strategies and classroom accommodations used for students with acquired brain injury are similar to those with learning disabilities or ADHD. Brain injuries require individualized responses.

Instruction:

These instructional accommodations and strategies include:

1. Check to make sure student has actually learned the new skill. Give the student a lot of opportunity to practicethe new skill.
2. Homebound or hospital-based instruction may be needed.
3. Provide study skills training and tutoring.
4. Assess school environment for accessibility.
5. Have consistent routines so student knows what to expect. Inform them ahead of time if there is a change in the routine.
6. Give directions in more than one way (written, in steps, etc.) and show student how to perform new tasks.

References

Traumatic Brain Injuries (n.d.). (2010, June 26). Retrieved from htt://healthmad.com

Research, ERABI. (2010, June 26). Evidence based review of moderate to severe acquired brain inquiry 5th edition. Retrieved from

Traumatic Brain Injury (2010, June 26). Retrieved from

Baylor, Initials. (2010, June 25). Therapy. Retrieved from

Symptoms of brain injury. (2010, June 25). Retrieved from