Traumatic+Brain+Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury


 * Traumatic brain injury is generally defined as a head injury that can obstruct normal brain functions
 * Common examples of injuries are penetrating injuries (such as an omedia type="youtube" key="9izH26JzmIo" height="344" width="425" align="left"bject damaging specific areas of the brain), and close head injuries (such as a blow to the head)
 * This injury can have many implications, ranging from affecting psychological and cognitive abilities, speech and language, physical functioning, and social behaviours
 * Although the physical injury can heal with time, often cognitive, social, or emotional problems may persist. Sensory, coordination, aggressiveness, and depression problems are some examples of issues that may linger


 * What a Teacher Can Do**
 * Make sure that material is presented in multiple wmedia type="youtube" key="MD7qVLz9QIM" height="344" width="425" align="right"ays (overheads/Powerpoint, videos, hands-on activities)
 * Begin class by reviewing topics previously discussed, and create an overview of the topics that you will be discussing that day
 * Emphasize key ideas of your lesson repeatedly
 * Simplify material with drawings or diagrams
 * Monitor student attention behaviour and teach him/her how to monitor him/herself
 * For memorization, employ mnemonic devices
 * Incorporate and develop their problem-solving skills into lessons
 * Have students repeat back to you what they have just learned


 * Accommodations/Modifications **
 * Reduce the amount of visual or auditory distractions that are present in your classroom
 * Create checklists of steps to complete in order to finish large tasks
 * Create written schedules that outline their daily routines
 * Frequently check their agendas to make sure all is in order
 * Use both verbal and non-verbal cues to get the student's attention
 * Give large assignments in manageable chunks
 * Signs to watch out for:**
 * ~ Table 9.4 Persisting Features of Traumatic Brain Injury (on page 252 of the text) ||
 * = **Area of Functioning** ||= **Possible Effects** ||
 * < Physical/Medical ||< * Fatigue and reduced stamina
 * Seizures (5%)
 * Headaches
 * Problems with regulation of various functions (e.g., growth, eating, body temperature) ||
 * < Sensory ||< * Hearing problems (e.g., conductive and/or sensorineural loss)
 * Vision problems (e.g., blurred vision, visual field defects) ||
 * < Cognitive ||< * Memory problems (e.g., storage and retrieval)
 * Attentional difficulties
 * Intellectual deficits
 * Reasoning and problem-solving difficulties ||
 * < Language-Related ||< * Word retrieval difficulties
 * Motor-speech problems (e.g., dysarthria)
 * Language comprehension deficits (e.g., difficulty listening)
 * Difficulty acquiring new vocabulary and learning new concepts
 * Socially inappropriate verbal behaviour ||
 * < Behavioural/Emotional ||< * Problems in planning, organizing, and problem solving
 * Disinhibition
 * Overactivity
 * Impulsivity
 * Lack of self-direction
 * Helplessness or apathy
 * Inability to recognize one's injury ||