Description
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex injury with a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities.
Symptoms
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be classified from mild to severe. Symptoms are as follows:
Cognitive deficits including difficulties with:
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Attention
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Concentration
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Distractibility
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Memory
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Speed of processing
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Confusion
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Perseveration
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Impulsiveness
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Language processing
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"Executive functions"
Speech and Language
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Not understanding the spoken word (receptive aphasia)
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Difficulty speaking and being understood (expressive aphasia)
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Slurred speech
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Speaking very fast or very slowly
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Problems reading
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Problems writing
Sensory
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Difficulties with interpretation of touch, temperature, movement, limb position and fine discrimination
Perceptual
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The integration or patterning of sensory impressions into psychologically meaningful data
Vision
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Partial or total loss of vision
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Weakness of eye muscles and double vision (diplopia)
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Blurred vision
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Problems judging distance
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Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus)
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Intolerance of light (photophobia)
Hearing
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Decrease or loss of hearing
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Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
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Increased sensitivity to sounds
Smell
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Loss or diminished sense of smell (anosmia)
Taste
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Loss or diminished sense of taste
Seizures
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The convulsions associated with epilepsy that can be several types and can involve disruption in consciousness, sensory perception, or motor movements
Physical Changes
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Physical paralysis/spasticity
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Chronic pain
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Control of bowel and bladder
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Sleep disorders
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Loss of stamina
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Appetite changes
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Regulation of body temperature
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Menstrual difficulties
Social-Emotional
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Dependent behaviors
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Emotional ability
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Lack of motivation
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Irritability
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Aggression
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Depression
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Disinhibition
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Denial/lack of awareness
What you can expect from therapy
Therapy will focus on two essential processes: restoration of functions lost that can be restored and learning how to do things differently for those functions that cannot be restored. Therapy will be individualized to your child’s needs.