At Project LEARN, we understand that you are overwhelmed with all of the information that is available to you about the brain, brain injury, and the life-long adjustment to life after brain injury.
We believe that it is very important to have this information in order for you to make the most out of your education and life goal-setting experiences.
In our efforts to provide you with the most helpful resources about the brain, brain injury, and its effects, we have provided some information below along with just a few of the many available links to internet resources about the brain that we think you will really enjoy.
About the Brain
Video Presentation: Introduction to Brain Injury
The following ___ minute video presentation, featuring Dr. Brian Reiger, Chief Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, provides a general overview of human brain anatomy and its related function and explains how such knowledge can help us to better understand what, why, and how brain injury impacts lives.
Dr. Brian Rieger is Chief Psychologist and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Dr. Rieger specializes in brain injury, and is the director of the Concussion Management Program and the CNY Sports Concussion Center at University Hospital in Syracuse, New York. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of concussion and sports-concussion at medical, sports, and community forums. He is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYPHSAA) Concussion Management Team, and is the Psychology Liaison to the NYSPHSAA Safety Committee. Dr. Rieger also serves on the Injury Prevention and Public Awareness Committee of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinating Council.
If you click on the link shown above, you will come to a terrific website about he brain, “Neuroscience for Kids”. The website is designed for kids, parents, and teachers who want to find out about the brain. You will find interesting information about:
The brain, its parts, and how it works
Neurons and how they work
Our sensory system and how it works
Drugs and their effects on the nervous system
Various neurological disorders
And much much more!
The information is presented in an easy-to-follow manner, with many useful pictures and other illustrations. You will also find games and other activities related to the brain. And there are links to many other interesting websites.
Brain Injury FACTS
Every 21 Seconds One Person In The U.S. Sustains A Brain Injury.
Each year 230,000 persons are hospitalized with traumatic brain injury and survive
22% of the persons with traumatic brain injury die
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury for persons 65 and over
Transportation related injuries are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury for persons of age 5-64
An estimated 5.3 million Americans - a little more than 2% of the US population - currently live with disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury
An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that occurs after birth. Traumatic brain injury is an insult to the brain caused by an external physical force, which may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness that results in an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. It can also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning. These impairments may be either temporary of permanent and cause partial or total functional disability or psychosocial maladjustment.
The causes of brain injury are varied, and include car crashes, falls, assaults, sports-related mishaps, stroke, aneurysm, and domestic or child abuse. A brain injury may result in mild, moderate, or severe impairments in one or more areas, including cognition; speech-language communication; memory; attention and concentration; reasoning; abstract thinking; physical functions; psychosocial behavior; and information processing.
Symptoms
Signs you or your child might have a Brain Injury:
severe headache that does not go way or get better
seizures: eyes fluttering, body going stiff, staring into space
memory problems / child forgets
hands shake, tremors, muscles get weak, loss of muscle tone
repeated nausea or vomiting
Other signs
Headaches and Pain
Reoccurring headaches
Other face or head pain
Consistent neck and shoulder pain
Other unexplainable body pain
Sensory Problems
Bothered by smells, lights, or sounds
Changes in taste or smell
Ringing in the ear
Hearing loss
Can't handle normal background noise
Physically uncomfortable, too hot or cold
Trouble seeing: blurred vision or seeing double
Sleep Problems
Trouble sleeping through the night
Tired and drowsy
Sleeps too much
Confusion of days and nights
Development of new happing trends
Balance Problems
Dizziness
Problems with standing or balance
Personality, Mood, or Behavior Problems
Irritable, anxious or restless
Easily frustrated or gets upset
Too easily over-reacts, cries or laughs
Wants to be alone or away from people
Blames other for everything
Is afraid of others
Wants to be taken care of
Doesn't know how to act with people
Takes risks without thinking first
Sad and depressed
"Can't get started", doesn't want to do anything
Dramatic changes in motor skills
Changes in eating behavior: eats too little, too much or things that aren't food
Changes in sexual behavior
Starts using or has different reactions to alcohol and drugs
Thinking Problems
Has trouble remembering things
Has trouble paying attention
Reacts or thinks slowly
Takes things too literally, doesn't understand jokes
Consistently thinks about the same things
Trouble learning new things
Trouble making decisions
Has trouble with a task: planning, starting, doing, finishing
Has trouble remembering to do things on time
Makes poor decisions or has lost common sense
Communication Problems
Changes the subject consistently, has trouble staying on one topic
Has trouble thinking of the right word
Has trouble listening
Doesn't speak clearly
Has trouble reading
Talks excessively
Seeking Help
If your head hurts and you have symptoms from the lists:
Go See A Doctor Right Away!
If your child's head hurts and has symptoms from the lists:
Ask your child's doctor to recommend a specialist in brain injury for:
evaluation of health problem by a pediatric physiatrist
evaluation of behavior, thinking, and communication by a child neuropsychologist
evaluation by a licensed psychologist with a specialty in neuropsychology
They can:
help you understand the changes in your child
recommend simple changes in your child's routine that may help
refer you to a rehabilitation specialist
offer plans that will help in school and around your community
