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.

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

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

Click on the links below for more signs

Headaches or Seizures
Changes in Physical Health
Changes in Mood, Personality or Behavior
Problems Communicating, Paying Attention, or Thinking

What To Do?

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