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Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by the head being hit by something or shaken violently. This injury can change how the person acts, moves, and thinks. 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, and learning.

When children with TBI return to school, their educational and emotional needs are often very different than before the injury. Their disability has happened suddenly and traumatically. They can often remember how they were before the brain injury. This can bring on many emotional and social changes. The child's family, friends, and teachers also recall what the child was like before the injury. These other people in the child's life may have trouble changing or adjusting their expectations of the child. The following tips may assist teachers in working with these students:

• Find out as much as you can about the child's injury and his or her present needs. Find out more about TBI.
• Give the student more time to finish schoolwork and tests.
• Give directions one step at a time. For tasks with many steps, it helps to give the student written directions.
• Show the student how to perform new tasks. Give examples to go with new ideas and concepts.
• Have consistent routines. This helps the student know what to expect. If the routine is going to change, let the student know ahead of time.
• Check to make sure that the student has actually learned the new skill. Give the student lots of opportunities to practice the new skill.
• Show the student how to use an assignment book and a daily schedule. This helps the student get organized.
• Realize that the student may get tired quickly. Let the student rest as needed.
• Reduce distractions.
• Keep in touch with the student's parents. Share information about how the student is doing at home and at school.
• Be flexible about expectations. Be patient. Maximize the student's chances for success.