Traumatic Brain Injury Fact Sheet by Ashton Adams

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can be defined as a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head and body, or an object that pierces the skull and enters the brain.

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TBI often occurs (but is not limited to) as a result of either a sports injury or a car accident. 80% of all TBI's are considered mild, with 1.7 million adolescents in the United States (ages 15 - 19 years old) suffering with a traumatic brain injury.

Common Types of TBI:

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Concussion: It results from acceleration/deceleration forces occurring to a direct blow to the head. It causes a negative change in cognitive function, which can range from confusion to loss of consciousness.
Extra-axial Hematoma: Includes both epidural hematomas (EDH) and subdural hematomas (SDH).
EDH usually results from bleeding from the middle meningeal artery and SDH can result from the bleeding of a bridging vein. Both EDH and SDH can be either acute or chronic.
Contusion: known as bruising of the brain
Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH): results from the tearing of small capillaries with blood entering into the subarachnoid space
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): results from any shearing, stretching, or twisting injuries to the neuronal axons

Mild TMI Symptoms:

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Physical Symptoms:

Headache
Nausea or vomiting
Fatigue
Problems with speech
Dizziness or loss of balance

Sensory Symptoms:

Blurred vision
Ears ringing
Sensitivity to light and/or sound

Cognitive/Mental Symptoms:

Loss of consciousness (few seconds to a few minutes)
State of being disoriented or confused
Memory or concentration problems

Moderate to Severe TMI Symptoms

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Physical Symptoms:

Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours
Persistent headache
Repeated vomiting or nausea
Seizures
Dilation of one or both pupils
Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes

Cognitive/Mental Symptoms:

Profound confusion
Agitation, or unusual behavior
Slurred speech
Coma

CT Scans

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A computerized tomography (CT) scan is usually the first tested used in an emergency room if a patient is suspected of having a TBI. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of the brain, and can be used to quickly visualize evidence of bleeding in the brain (also known as a hemorrhage), blood clots (also known as hematomas), bruised brain tissue (contusions), and brain tissue swelling.

MRI Test

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses powerful radio waves and magnets to help create a detailed view of the brain. This test is usually used after the patient's condition stabilizes, or if symptoms don't improve after the injury

Some accommodations that may help students with problems related to concentration, organization, and memory (caused my a TBI) are:

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try and reduce distractions in the classroom
break down assignments into smaller tasks
repeat and review assignments and have students write them down
create a checklist of tasks for the student to complete each day
provide extra time for assignments and tests

Social Skills after a TBI

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It is important to give the child more time to process what is being said and also give them extra time to answer. It is best to not overwhelm them with information since it can be harder for kids with a TBI to process that information.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tbi-factsheet.html

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National Level: This website is a great resource to use that provides a quick fact sheet all about Traumatic Brain Injuries for specifically for teachers to use. It is broken down into two sections, what teachers should know and what teachers can do.

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children/educational-resources/traumatic-brain-injury

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State Level: This website was published by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and provides quick links to help teachers learn more about TBIs, and find a provider in their specific area.

https://www.biausa.org/

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National Level: This website is published by the Brain Injury Association of America. It provides many great resources for parents to use all about brain injuries, diagnosis and treatments. It also has additional resources for parents to find support groups and have a safe space to share their own stories.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/traumatic-brain-injury

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State Level: This website is published by the North Carolina Division of Health and Human Services, and provides a lot of resources for people living in North Carolina with a TBI. It also includes resources for training for what to do if someone experiences a TBI, and a list of state legislation for people with TBIs.

Returning to School After Experiencing a TBI

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Parents become the biggest advocate for their child once they return to school after experiencing a TBI. Parent's often have the most knowledge about their children are able to ensure that all supports are in place to help their student be successful when they return back to school.

The effects of TBI can differ vastly from student-to-student. Some common changes are tiredness, headaches, and heightened sensitivity to light or noise. A TBI can also impact a student where they have a hard time learning new material and are more forgetful.

Not all students with a TBI will require special programs, but in some states a brain injury educational consultant is available through the state's Office of Special Education. This consultant helps special education educators in local schools to provide services to students with brain injurys.

https://ncschoolpsychology.med.unc.edu/index.php/nctbi/approvedproviders/

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Local level: This website is published by Psychological Services in NC Public Schools, and divides the state up (has an Eastern North Carolina section) in order to find providers in your specific area.

https://www.ecuhealth.org/pediatric-services/childrens-emergency-care/

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Local Level: This website helps discuss how ECU's hospital helps with children's emergencies. It is a great resource for local families to know about in case if an emergency happens.

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Abrahamson, E. (2023, September 13). Common characteristics of Traumatic Brain Injury - Abrahamson & Uiterwyk. Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. https://www.theinjurylawyers.com/common-characteristics-traumatic-brain-injury/#What_Are_the_Common_Characteristics_of_Mild_TBI

Children’s emergency care. ECU Health. (2023, July 6). https://www.ecuhealth.org/pediatric-services/childrens-emergency-care/

Gavin, M. L. (Ed.). (2019, November). Severe traumatic brain injury factsheet (for Schools) (for parents) | nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tbi-factsheet.html

Georges, A. (2023, January 2). Traumatic brain injury. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459300/

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.). Traumatic brain injury. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557

Psychological services in NC public schools. (n.d.-a). https://ncschoolpsychology.med.unc.edu/index.php/nctbi/approvedproviders/

Psychological services in NC public schools. (n.d.-b). https://ncschoolpsychology.med.unc.edu/index.php/nctbi/

Returning to school after traumatic brain injury. MSKTC. (n.d.). https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/returning-school-after-traumatic-brain-injury#:~:text=On%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20not,to%20students%20with%20brain%20injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injury. NC DPI. (n.d.). https://www.dpi.nc.gov/districts-schools/classroom-resources/exceptional-children/educational-resources/traumatic-brain-injury

Traumatic brain injury. NCDHHS. (n.d.-a). https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/traumatic-brain-injury

Traumatic brain injury. NCDHHS. (n.d.-b). https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/traumatic-brain-injury

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Traumatic brain injury (TBI). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi