Getting back to class

Whether a student with TBI is in elementary school or in college, transitioning back to school post-injury can be difficult in many different ways. Problems at school because of a TBI can include:

• Attention and concentration
• Memory
• Planning and organization
• Reasoning and problem solving
• Expressive speech or language problems
• Impulsivity
• Difficulty processing complex information
• Social interaction

Importance of accurate diagnosis

Sometimes a student’s TBI goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed as a learning disability or behavioral problem. After all, problems from a brain injury can be similar to those related to a learning disability, so getting an accurate diagnosis can make all the difference. A correct diagnosis can lead to more a tailored — and successful treatment plan.

Know your rights

Educate yourself! There are federal civil rights laws that ensure equal opportunity for people with disabilities, and that includes students with traumatic brain injury. The more students with TBI and their parents know about laws regarding disability rights, the more they can ensure that the students get the accessibility or accommodations they need at school and in the community. For example, a child may need extra time to take tests or may need a computer equipped with an enlarged screen or a voice recognition program.

Ways educators and parents can collaborate

Children spend about six or more hours of their day at school, so educating educators about how best to help students with TBI is crucial. And some ways educators and parents can collaborate include:

• Creating an Individualized Education Program, or IEP, specific to the child’s needs
• Finding assistive technologies that aid the student where challenges exist. For example, automatic page turners, book holders, and specialized computer hardware and software enable students to participate in classroom activities.
• Offering peer support.

Remember that children do best at home and at school when parents, educators, and health professionals communicate, develop common goals, and work together.

The link below is a booklet to help students understand the IEP process and their role in assisting their parents and teachers in making educational goals.