While children with TBI have always been eligible for special education and related services, it should be easier for them under this new category to receive the services to which they are entitled. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma. Incidence TBI is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adolescents in the United States. However, many students with mild brain injury may never see a health care professional at the time of the accident.
Symptoms can vary greatly depending upon the extent and location of the brain injury.
These impairments may be either temporary or permanent in nature and may cause partial or total functional disability as well as psychosocial maladjustment. Any or all of the above impairments may occur to different degrees. The nature of the injury and its attendant problems can range from mild to severe, and the course of recovery is very difficult to predict for any given student. It is important to note that, with early and ongoing therapeutic intervention, the severity of these symptoms may decrease, but in varying degrees. Back to the Table of Contents Educational Implications Despite its high incidence, many medical and education professionals are unaware of the consequences of childhood head injury.