School sports, outdoor recreational activities such as bike riding and skateboarding, and even the prom could pose a serious threat to children’s health and well-being this spring and summer.
All of these activities sometimes result in accidents that cause traumatic brain injury (TBI). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI is a leading cause of death and disability for young people between the ages of 15 and 24. In addition, TBI impacts approximately 475,000 children ages 0 to 14 every year.
“March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, an excellent time to focus on brain injury awareness and prevention,” says Gary Pace, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Senior Vice President of May Institute’s Neurorehabilitative Services and Supervising Psychologist for the Institute’s school for children and adolescents with brain injury. The school offers the following information for parents.
About Brain Injury
There are two types of brain injury − traumatic or non-traumatic brain injury – both of which occur after birth. Many cases of brain injury go undetected and untreated for years prior to diagnosis. Every year, athletes die on the playing field because of an undetected brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury is caused by an external force such as a motor vehicle or sports-related accident, assault, child abuse, or falls. Adolescents, young adults, and the elderly are at the greatest risk for traumatic brain injury. Non-traumatic brain injury can be caused by strokes, brain tumors, pediatric AIDS, meningitis, infection, substance abuse, neurological disease, or other illnesses and diseases.
Common Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Brain injury may affect an individual’s ability to function well at work, school, home, and in other settings, causing difficulties in the following areas:
- Cognitive: memory loss, organizational difficulties, speech and/or communication problems, difficulty in reasoning and problem-solving
- Behavioral: impulsiveness, aggression, and decline in social skills
- Physical: impairment or changes in vision, hearing, coordination, balance, or muscle tone
Brain Injury Prevention
There are a number of ways that adults can protect children from brain injury. Children should receive instruction on street safety at an early age (“stop, look, and listen before you cross the street”). They should wear properly fitted helmets during sporting and recreational activities, including riding bicycles, tricycles, scooters, and skateboards; rollerblading, skiing, and snowboarding; playing football, baseball, hockey, soccer, and other impact sports. Riders should use trails and other designated areas for biking, and avoid busy streets. Car seats and seat belts are essential. Children under 12 years of age and/or those who weigh less than 100 pounds should ride in the back seat of a motor vehicle.
Treatment and Recovery
Individuals who receive prompt diagnosis and treatment for a brain injury often make great progress in regaining skills following a trauma or illness. Treatment for children and adolescents should include rehabilitation and special education services through a multidisciplinary team of professionals, such as licensed psychologists, physical and occupational specialists, and teachers trained specifically in the treatment of brain injury. Residential services can also be useful for those who need additional care.
Programs such as May Institute’s May Center for Education and Neurorehabilitation utilize applied behavior analysis (ABA) to treat individuals with brain injury. ABA is a methodology, or framework, that applies scientific interventions to address behavioral needs and skill development. ABA facilitates the development of language, social interactions, and independent living by applying basic behavioral practices. Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that ABA is the most effective method to teach children and adolescents with neurological problems.
