Traumatic Brain
Injury:
Students
who suffered from a traumatic brain injury that has effected their ability to
learn. A few help tips: written information to help students with memory loss,
patience and attentiveness to student unique needs in classroom.
Causes: Some
of the major causes of brain injury include Brain hypoxia and ischemia may
result from traumatic brain injury, circulatory problems such as cerebral
vessel spasm or stroke, and lack of
oxygenation that may occur during cardiopulmonary arrest. Lack of adequate
oxygen to the brain causes cell death that can be localized or widespread. The
extent of brain cell death influences the degree of neurological impairment and
disability. Trauma, lack of oxygen, lack of blood flow (ischemia), infection
and metabolic disorders. Liver failure, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), kidney
failure, and toxic exposure to such substances as alcohol, drugs, sedatives,
poisons, and some heavy metals. In general, brain injury associated with
metabolic disorders is widespread throughout the entire brain.
Common Associated Characteristics:
· Onset: Sudden
· Cause: One or more blows to
the head accompanied by altered mental status, including loss of consciousness
· Functional Changes: Marked contrast between
pre- and post-onset capacities: memory loss, reduced processing speed, impaired
executive functions
· Physical Disabilities: May include loss of
balance, weakness, paralysis, visual/ sensory changes, headaches
· Emotional Difficulties: Labile mood,
depression and anxiety frequently found
· Behavioral Difficulties: Unpredictable:
possible agitation, aggressiveness, restlessness, impulsivity
· Awareness of Deficits: Limited-to-full
awareness
· Skills and Knowledge: Pre-TBI learning is
largely intact
· Difficulties with Learning: Old information
is easier to recall than new
· Peer Interactions: Affected by cognitive
deficits, behavioral difficulties, reduced social skills
Suggested
Teaching Strategies: (from nichy.org)
·
Find out as
much as you can about the child’s injury and his or her present needs.
·
Find out more
about TBI through the resources and organizations listed below. These can help
you identify specific techniques and strategies to support the student
educationally.
·
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.
·
It's
important to remember that a student who has suffered TBI will have different
educational needs than before their injury. Because of the sudden and traumatic
nature of their injury, there are emotional and social changes to
consider. There must be careful evaluation and planning to address the
student's needs in their IEP.
Additional
Resources:
The
National Dissemination Center for Children With Disabilities, this is a
comprehensive website for all disabilities. For TBI, there is information
about symptoms, statistics, and help for parents and teachers.
This
website is for Brain Injury Association of America. This is very useful
with resources for families and caregivers, diagnosis and treatment, advocacy
and more.
The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discusses different types of TBI,
statistics, causes and risk groups, prevention, and long-term outcomes.
National
Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke gives information about
diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and organizations that can help.
This
PDF is a great resource for getting information about how TBI occur, the
effects that are seen in the patients, and what teachers can do to make a child
with a TBI more comfortable in the classroom and able to learn.
No comments:
Post a Comment