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TBI in the Classroom
There is no typical case scenario for a child with a Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI). How a TBI affects each child varies, thus the academic
interventions and behavioral strategies should be individually
prescribed to address the individual student's unique strengths and
weaknesses.
It's important to distinguish that there are
varying degrees of TBI. Probably the first cause that comes to mind
when we talk about Traumatic Brain Injury are those caused by car
accidents or other violent blows to the head which require serious
medical attention. However, because our brains are so magnificient,
intricate, and complicated, even a slight injury can cause a major
disruption in cognitive functioning which directly affects children in the classroom. We have to
consider the gammet of TBI which also includes Mild Traumatic Brain
Injury. The CDC reports that there are approximately 2 million people
per year who sustain head injuries. Of those reported, approximately 80-90% are considered Mild TBI's, and only 10% of those are ever hospitalized.
Looking around your classroom now, is there a child you know who struggles to pay attention, has difficulty following directions, acts impulsively, and/or is rigid in thier thinking, perhaps argumentative? If asked to describe this student, do the words 'unmotivated', or 'no work ethic' come to mind? Unfortunately, these are key words that teachers often use to describe students with TBI or MTBI. Contact your Student Assistant Team with your concerns and/or visit with your school psychologist.
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