Traumatic Brain Injury

(TBI)
By:
Aimee Ponejolic

Is generally the result of a sudden, violent

blow or jolt to the head. The brain is
launched into a collision course with the
inside of the skull, resulting in possible
bruising of the brain, tearing of nerve fibers
and bleeding.(Nordqvist, Christian)

(TBI) Definition

The causes of TBI may be caused by

objects, such as bullets or a smashed piece
of skull penetrating brain tissue. Causes
may include falls, vehicle accidents, and
violence.

Causes of TBI

About

1/3 of injury related American

deaths are linked to TBI
About 230,000 hospitalization occur
annually in the USA as a result of TBI
Every 15 seconds one American man,
woman or child sustains a significant
traumatic brain injury
Falls are the leading cause of TBI for
children age 0-4

Prevalence of TBI

Mild Characteristics
Loss of consciousness
Amnesia before and after impact
Cognitive problems as with memory or
concentration
Changes in mood
Sensory changes: blurred vision, a bad
taste in the mouth and ringing in the ears
Headaches, confusion, and dizziness

Physical characteristics of children

who have TBI

Moderate
Headaches become persistent
Weakness, agitations, and slurred speech
Can lose his sense of smell or hearing

Physical characteristics of children

who have TBI

Severe
Unable to wake up
Convulsions
Loss of coordination
Confusion
Persistent amnesia

Physical characteristic of children

who have TBI

Aggression

toward others and self

Tantrums and crying
Yelling and cursing
Explosive anger
Non-Compliance
Property/ destruction
Both neurological and environmental
changes plays a part in behavioral
changes in TBI

Behavioral characteristics of
children who have TBI

Find

out as much as you can about the

childs injury and his or her present needs
Give students more time to finish school
work and tests
Give directions one step at a time
Show the student how to perform new
tasks
Have consistent routines
Keep in touch with the students parents

What can educators do to better

support TBI children in the classroom

Initial Treatment: Stabilizes the individual

immediately following a traumatic brain injury
Rehabilitative Care Center Treatment: Helps
restore the patient to daily life
Acute Treatment: is aimed at minimizing
secondary injury and life support
Surgical Treatment: May be used to prevent
secondary injury by helping to maintain blood
flow and oxygen to the brain and minimize
swelling and pressure

Treatments of TBI

Behaviors

in Traumatic Brain Injury.

(2014, January 1).
Injury Prevention & Control Traumatic
Brain Injury. (2014, January 1)
Nordqrist, C. (2014, October 29). What
causes traumatic brain injury?
Stannard, L. (2012, November 11).
Characteristics of Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury. (2014, August 1).

References