Helping Students with Brain Injuries Return to School

Most brain injuries occur in children under the age of 5 or in teenagers and may affect their ability to learn. These injuries may be caused by car accidents, sports injuries, falls, child abuse or neglect or other blows to the head. High fevers, choking, near-drowning or other things that cause the brain to be deprived of oxygen also can cause brain injuries. 

The Re-entry of Students with a TBI to the School Setting (PDF) Traumatic Brain Injury resource document is a joint effort by the Office of Acquired Brain Injury, the Texas Education Agency, Region 12 Education Services Centers and a statewide stakeholder group of education professionals including representatives of Texas Juvenile Justice Department. It was developed to provide critical information about brain injury and tools for successful communication and teaching skills for teachers, evaluators, counselors, coaches, school administrators, nurses, security personnel, parents and others.

The purpose of this document is to share information about services and resources for students with brain injuries. It was designed to help teachers when students return to school after a brain injury. Teachers will gain a greater knowledge and understanding of brain injury, its signs and symptoms and effects on a student’s ability to learn and pay attention.

Signs and Symptoms of Brain Injury

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Inability to focus on a task
  • Problems with memory
  • Impaired judgment
  • Inappropriate language/actions
  • Anxiety
  • Impulsivity
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Anger or emotional outbursts

 

Additional information can be found at Texas Education Agency and Texas Juvenile Justice Department