Traumatic Brain Injury

"Traumatic brain injury" means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both. Traumatic brain injury 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; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

Common Characteristics

• • • Physical and sensory changes

    • Lack of coordination

    • Spasticity of muscles

    • Cognitive impairments such as short or long term memory

    • Social, behavioral, and emotional problems

Criteria

• • • Documented injury

    • Educational impact