Several Members of the Emerge Professionals team attended the 4th Annual Translational Neuroscience Conference at the University of Denver in March of 2011. Presenters at this conference discussed the implications and research surrounding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in a variety of populations including children, older adults, athletes and those in the military. Dr. Dise-Lewis from the University of Colorado Medical School presented on TBI during development. According to the Center for Disease Control TBI is the leading cause of death and disability for children aged 1 day old to 25 years. The National Trauma Registry tells us there are more than 2 million children in the US who have survived moderate to severe TBI and an estimated 70% have learning problems and behavioral symptoms subsequent to the injury. Shockingly only 2.1% of these children receive special education services under the educational TBI classification. Some outcomes of TBI for children may include reduced cognitive abilities with nonverbal skills more affected than verbal abilities, reduced processing speed and reduced executive functions (sustaining attention, planning, organizing, etc.). Research has found that a failure to appreciate and accommodate for these deficits will lead to greater difficulty in emotional health, learning and social skills. With an understanding of the particular deficits associated with a child’s injury and support in these areas children can make great gains. It is of utmost importance to seek medical treatment for a head injury and allow appropriate mental and physical rest. A neuropsychological evaluation can help in clarifying areas of strength and weakness as well as areas to target with intervention.
Written by Dr. Anna Kroncke, Ph.D., NCSP