As a family member, one may observe some of the following symptoms of brain injury: drowsiness and fatigue, sleep difficulties, and sensory difficulties. Frequently cognitive challenges related to memory, concentration and processing will also result from TBI. Decreased motor planning or loss of coordination are other common symptoms. The severity of the symptoms will be relative to the severity and/or location of the injury.
Information from the Mayo Clinic helps with understanding the nature of the injuries:
• Damage to brain cells may be limited to the area directly below the point of impact on the skull.
• A severe blow or jolt can cause multiple points of damage because the brain may move back and forth in the skull.
• A severe rotational or spinning jolt can cause the tearing of cellular structures.
• A blast, as from an explosive device, can cause widespread damage.
• An object penetrating the skull can cause severe, irreparable damage to brain cells, blood vessels and protective tissues around the brain.
• Bleeding in or around the brain, swelling, and blood clots can disrupt the oxygen supply to the brain and cause wider damage.
Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas provides treatment for language, speech, coordination, sensory and feeding challenges associated with childhood disorders. Though we are not involved with the initial phase of treatment for childhood TBI, which typically takes place in a hospital rehabilitation setting, we can assist with the remediation of residual challenges related to a traumatic brain injury.
Interactive Metronome (IM) is a treatment that specifically targets memory and processing deficits through improving temporal processing (timing in the brain) within and between brain regions. This treatment, which utilizes a computer generated game format, can help improve language processing, memory, attention and coordination – all deficits associated with TBI. We have several pediatric occupational therapists certified in IM at our Frisco and Plano clinics. For families in Frisco, Interactive Metronome may be a good program.
Children with head injuries sometimes experience sensory and feeding challenges. We provide sensory based Plano feeding therapy in our clinics. For families attending our clinics, Frisco and Plano feeding therapy may utilize the SOS approach developed by Dr. Kay Toomey.
Common events causing traumatic brain injury include the following:
• Falls. Falling out of bed, slipping in the bath, falling down steps, falling from ladders and related falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury overall, particularly in older adults and young children.
• Vehicle-related collisions. Collisions involving cars, motorcycles or bicycles — and pedestrians involved in such accidents — are a common cause of traumatic brain injury.
• Violence. About 20 percent of traumatic brain injuries are caused by violence, such as gunshot wounds, domestic violence or child abuse. Shaken baby syndrome is traumatic brain injury caused by the violent shaking of an infant that damages brain cells.
• Sports injuries. Traumatic brain injuries may be caused by injuries from a number of sports, including soccer, boxing, football, baseball, lacrosse, skateboarding, hockey, and other high-impact or extreme sports, particularly in youth.
• Explosive blasts and other combat injuries. Explosive blasts are a common cause of traumatic brain injury in active-duty military personnel. Although the mechanism of damage isn't yet well-understood, many researchers believe that the pressure wave passing through the brain significantly disrupts brain function.
Traumatic brain injury also results from penetrating wounds, severe blows to the head with shrapnel or debris, and falls or bodily collisions with objects following a blast.
