This fact sheet describes traumatic brain injury (TBI), an injury of the brain caused by the head being hit by something or being shaken violently. It discusses the incidence of TBI, and describes its symptoms as changes in thinking and reasoning, understanding words, remembering things, paying attention, solving problems, thinking abstractly,…

This study evaluated a computer-assisted training program used by four patients (ages 40 to 53) who had attentional deficits caused by cerebrovascular accident and closed head injury. Patients demonstrated improvements in training tasks, attention, and visual memory, but no improvements in two verbal memory tests and a general intelligence test.…

Traumatic brain injury was included as a disability category in the 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Act, which mandates appropriate services to TBI students and poses challenges to educators. This article discusses some of these challenges, including assessment, definition of appropriate services, functioning in classrooms, dealing with…

Provides information on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and suggestions for integrating individuals with TBI into the group process through the use of four specific group counseling strategies: (1) pregroup orientation; (2) a "here-and-now" approach; (3) group exercises; and (4) follow-up and referral services. (LKS)

This paper reviews basic social validity assessment techniques, discusses the constructs underlying direct magnitude estimation (DME), illustrates the use of DME for performing social validity evaluations of spontaneous language samples (with 3 brain-injured children, ages 10-15, and 3 controls), and discusses the relationship between subjective…

Although memory researchers differ in exactly how they view the divisions of memory, there are numerous distinct types. One critical dimension in which memories differ is how long they last. Outlines various types of memories including long-term, short-term (i.e., working), and procedural memory, and discusses brain research that has led to…

A 3-factor solution of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised (WAIS-R) in 260 adults with suspected head injury suggested relatively good construct validity for the factors, based on correlations with neuropsychological tests. Findings are discussed in terms of the multidimensional nature of neuropsychological tests and WAIS-R factors.…

Sports-related injuries are among the more common causes of injury in adolescents that can result in concussion and its sequelae, postconcussion syndrome and second-impact syndrome (SIS). Students who experience multiple brain injuries within a short period of time (hours, days, or weeks) may suffer catastrophic or fatal reactions related to SIS.…

Neuropsychological tests have limited sensitivity in identifying subtle residual cognitive impairments in patients with good medical recovery from head injury and post-concussive syndrome. Detecting and characterizing residual "real life" cognitive difficulties can be problematic for treatment purposes. This study investigated the usefulness of a…

Understanding the criteria and process for determining a student's eligibility for special education services is critical for any educator in an inclusive school environment. Based on the current reauthorization of IDEA 2004, this timely resource offers teachers and administrators an overview of each eligible disability and clear, specific…

The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the psychometric properties of the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) for children; and (2) to draw a profile of the level of participation among children of 5 to 13 years of age with various impairments. The research team adapted the adult version of the LIFE-H in order to render it more…

The practicum was designed to assist parents of head-injured children in dealing with the special education system. The program provided parents with information about the special education system and encouraged them to take an active role at the Individualized Education Program (IEP) conference. Parents were also helped to better understand the…

This volume of "Physical Disabilities: Education and Related Services" contains the following featured articles: (1) "The Value of Standards-Based Curricula for Students with Physical and Health Disabilities" (Catherine L. Keating), which discusses how a standards-based evidence-based curriculum can provide a basis of consistency for all children…

This study examined the impact on 44 families of children who had suffered severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) within the past month. It found that families experienced significantly more injury-related stress and higher levels of psychological symptoms than 52 families of children with moderate TBI and 69 families of children with orthopedic…

A case study is used to demonstrate the effects of mild traumatic brain injury on educational efforts. Discussion covers factors complicating school reintegration, ways to facilitate school reintegration, identification of cognitive and behavioral consequences, minimization of educators' discomfort, reintegration program design, and family…