Traumatic Brain Injury

By: Erin Engnell

Definition of TBI
An

insult to the brain, not of degenerative or

congenital nature caused by an external
physical force that may produce a diminished
or altered state of consciousness, which
results in an impairment of cognitive abilities
or physical functioning. It can also result in
the disturbance of behavioral or emotional
functioning.

Levels of TBI

Mild TBI

Moderate TBI

Glascow Coma Scale

score 13-15

Glascow Coma Scale

score 9-12

Severe TBI

Glascow Coma Scale

score 8 or less

Causes

An outside force
impacts the head
causing the brain to
move

A direct blow to the

head

A rapid acceleration
and deceleration of the
head

Pie Chart of TBI Causes

Incidence Rates

Currently 5.3 million Americans are living with a disability as a

result of TBI (about 2% of US population)
1.5 million Americans sustain a TBI each year
More than 50,000 people die each year from TBI (22% of people
with TBI)
80,000 Americans obtain a long-term disability following TBI
every year
2
3 of firearm related TBIs are a result of someone trying to
attempt suicide
The risk of TBI in men is twice the risk in women
Every 21 seconds, one person in the U.S. sustains a TBI

Comparing TBI

Symptoms of a person
who might have TBI

Dilated or unequal size of pupils

Vision changes
Respiratory failure
Paralysis, difficulty moving body parts, weakness, poor
coordination
Vomiting
Headache
Confusion
Ringing in the ears, or changes in ability to hear
Trouble with balance
Difficulty with thinking skills
Difficulty speaking, slurred speech

Possible Characteristics of a person

with a Traumatic Brain Injury

Cognitive

Physical

Emotional

Instructional Ideas

Be PATIENT!
Transition plans for the student
Structure and routines
Do not set specific expectations for achievement
Be supportive and responsive to changing needs
of students with TBI
Technology varies because TBI is a very wide
spectrum disorder

Prevention in Schools

Playground safety

School Bus safety

Pedestrian safety

Youth violence

Parts of the Brain

Right or Left Brain

Injuries to the right side

of the brain

Injuries to the left side

of the brain

Creativity impairment

Intellectual impairment

Diffuse Injuries (both

sides of brain)

Money!!!!
48.3

billion dollars annually spent in the U.S.

for patients with TBI

Hospitalization accounts for 31.7 billion dollars

Fatal brain injuries cost the U.S. 16.6 billion
dollars

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Resources for Teachers

Brain Injury Association of Illinois

Brain Injury Association of America

www.biausa.org

TBI Information Center

http://www.biausa.org/Illinois/bia.htm

www.tbiinfocenter.com

Children With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Parent's

Guide (The Special Needs Collection) by Lisa
Schoenbrodt
I'll Carry the Fork!: Recovering a Life After Brain
Injury by Kara L. Swanson

Bibliography

Brain Injury Association of America

TBI Information Center

www.biausa.org
www.tbiinfocenter.com

NIH Consensus Statement Rehabilitation of

Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury
Including Students with Special Needs
By: Marilyn Friend
Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Teens
Government Publication