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There's always something new to learn about brain injury. Getting our facts straight is a crucial first step in moving toward the best possible outcomes. Adapted from https://cbirt.org/family-support
Myth: A helmet or mouth guard is all you need to do to prevent concussions.
Fact: No, safety gear can decrease frequency and severity of concussions. They should always be worn as recommended, but they will not fully prevent concussions. Helmets and mouth guards reduce skull fractures, cuts, bruises, and dental injuries.
Myth: Only a hit to the head will cause a concussion
Fact: Any time the brain is jostled, no matter if the head itself has been hit or not, may cause a concussion. Example: whiplash.
Myth: No loss of consciousness means no concussion
Fact: The statistics show that 90% of concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness.
Myth: Knowing which parts of the brain have been injured will tell you the specific challenges to expect.
Fact: By knowing the location of the injury to the brain, there may be some indication of the problems to expect but not to the point of being able to predict specifically what lies ahead. Every response to brain injury is different.
Myth: Personality traits often change significantly after a brain injury.
Fact: No. Personality traits tend to intensify (become stronger) after a brain injury, not change altogether. A mild mannered person may tend to become more mild mannered. An aggressive personality may tend to become more difficult and more aggressive after brain injury.
Myth: The best way to help a person with brain injury is to assist them with tasks.
Fact: Overriding a child's efforts (such as jumping in to finish sentences or tasks) lessens their personal sense of dignity, respect and self-worth. Please offer breaks, and allow a student to be as independent as they can be.
Myth: Most recoveries for brain injury show steady improvement up until 2 years when recovery is complete.
Fact: There will be inconsistency during the recovery period. A person with a brain injury may be able to do something easily one day, then find the same thing difficult the next day. Although much of the healing occurs soon after the injury, recovery can continue for a lifetime.
Myth: The amount of time the person with a brain injury remains unconscious or in a coma is the main factor that affects recovery.
Fact: This is one of many factors that will affect recovery. Other factors are:
age
severity of the injury
where in the brain the injury is located
early patterns of recovery
length of time a person is very confused or experiences amnesia
other injuries to the body
the level of health before the injury
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