Traumatic Brain Injury
"Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury. Mild traumatic brain injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or death."
~from Mayo Clinic
Our nation's special education law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), defines traumatic brain injury as... "...an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psycho-social behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma."
~[34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7(c)(12)]
Maine Resources
None yet!
National Resources
Brain Injury Association of America: http://www.biausa.org/
The Brain Injury Association of America was founded in 1980 by a group of individuals who wanted to improve the quality of life for their family members who had sustained brain injuries. Despite phenomenal growth over the past two decades, the Association remains committed to its grassroots. The Brain Injury Association of America encompasses a national network of more than 40 Chartered state affiliates across the country as well as hundreds of local chapters and support groups.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/tbi.htm
An overview of TBI, causes and effects
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC): http://www.naric.com
This organization is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to serve anyone, professional or layperson, who is interested in disability and rehabilitation. Provides 60,000 disability-related records regarding literature, organizations, timely information, and research in five databases. Also lists projects funded by NIDRR.
The International Brain Injury Association (IBIA): http://www.internationalbrain.org/
Founded in 1993, the International Brain Injury Association is dedicated to providing international leadership, advancing opportunities and successes for persons with brain injury.
Head Injury Society of New Zealand: http://www.head-injury.org.nz/
The mission of this site is to provide basic information for people who are newly introduced to brain injury by the injury or illness of a friend or relative. The site is also a link between industry professionals and local support groups. Finally but perhaps most importantly the site will allow people in recovery from head injury to talk to each other by e-mail and to be advocates for their own needs.
Headway UK: http://www.headway.org.uk/
Our aim is to promote understanding of all aspects of head injury; and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers.
"Understanding How The Brain Works": http://www.tbiguide.com/howbrainworks.html
"How The Brain Gets Hurt": http://www.tbiguide.com/howbrainhurt.htm
Subtle Brain Injury: http://subtlebraininjury.com/
Traumatic Brain Injury Guide: http://www.tbiguide.com/