Students with Brain Injury
Challenges for identification, learning and
behavior in the classroom
By Katherine Kimes, MA, Marilyn Lash, MSW,
Ron Savage, EdD ~ 2008
Table of Contents
About the Authors
Who This Book Is For
Chapter 1: Numbers Tell a Story
The Child’s Developing Brain
How Many Children Have Brain Injuries?
How Are Children Hurt?
How Do Educators Define Traumatic Brain Injury?
Comparing the Numbers – incidence vs. identification
Why Is It So Hard To Identify These Students?
Questions Lead to Identification
Assessment and Outcomes
Summary
Chapter 2 Myths vs Facts about Brain Injury in Children
Myth 1: All brain injuries are the same
Myth 2: A mild brain injury has no consequences
Myth 3: A severe brain injury means that the child will never recover
Myth 4: Once the child has physically recovered, the brain has completely healed
Myth 5: Recovery ends six months to a year after the initial brain injury
Myth 6: IQ scores are a good indicator of a child’s educational future
Myth 7: Professionals are always right. They are the experts
Myth 8: A brain injury can heal itself
Myth 9: The uninjured parts of the brain will take over
Myth 10: The very young child is too young for therapy and education
Myth 11: A parent shouldn’t tell other people about their child’s injury
Myth 12: It is natural to have temper outbursts, mood swings or aggression
Myth 13: It’s okay to get behind the wheel of a car and drive
Myth 14: A child who can speak, write and read after a brain injury will not have any difficulty with communication
Summary
Chapter 3 Helping Students Think and Learn
Attention
Auditory and Visual Perception
Memory
Organization
Reasoning and Abstract Thinking
Problem Solving
Summary
Chapter 4 Helping Students with Behavior after Brain Injury
Understanding the Whole Child
Secondary Depression and Withdrawal
Lack of Insight / Denial of Disabilities
Impulsive Behavior / Lack of Inhibition
Poor Emotional Control
Apathetic / Not Caring Attitude
Agitation and Irritability
Aggression
A-B-C Behavior Model
The A-B-C Behavior Model in Action
Behavior Plan as Part of Child’s Educational Plan
Summary
Future Challenges
References
