About TBI

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when an outside force traumatically injures the brain. It can be caused by falls, vehicle accidents, violence or loss of consciousness. TBI is especially common among children and young adults, but is often under-identified and can make it difficult for students to be successful in school and social settings.

What Are Some of the Indicators of TBI?

TBI can affect a student's ability to learn and perform in cognitive, behavioral, academic and social realms. Symptoms can be unpredictable, confusing and may include:

  • Impulsivity
  • Profound emotional changes
  • Changes in judgment
  • Communication difficulties
  • Aggressiveness

What Can Be Done for Students with TBI?

While students with TBI often share common characteristics, each has unique needs requiring individual planning and intervention strategies to support their educational and emotional success. Central Oregon has a number of resources to help assess, identify and serve students with TBI from birth to 21 years of age.

What Kind of Support is Available for students with TBI?

  • High Desert Education Service District provides a Regional TBI Liaison for Central Oregon. Their role is to track and coordinate services for students with TBI.
  • A team of interdisciplinary TBI consultants from throughout Central Oregon has been established to provide training and consultation to teachers, staff and families working with TBI students.
  • Several school districts in Central Oregon have local TBI coaches that can work directly with school teachers and staff to identify and support students with TBI.

Eligibility

Services are available to children and students who are identified as having an educational eligibility for TBI services and have been referred by the local school districts or EI/ECSE program.

Referral

For school age children referrals for an evaluation are made by a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team or their district's special education office. For children birth to five, referrals are made through their early intervention or early childhood special education team.
 

How Can I Learn More About TBI?

State-wide training is offered each academic year. The sessions are led by National experts and are open to school teachers, staff and parents for a minimal fee. Training focus includes:

  • TBI Overview
  • Behavior
  • Academic Success
  • Communication with Families


The OBIRN Library provides information to individuals with brain injury as well as families and the professionals who serve them. Services include personalized searches of literature and resources. For more information, contact Laura Beck at (877) 872-7246 or email her at tbi@wou.edu.

Educators can visit http://www.cbirt.org/tbi-education to access resources and evidence-based information for people working with students who have TBI. Online resources help Oregon educators learn about brain injury, identify, evaluate, plan assistive technology, write IEPs for students and help with transitions.
 

The TBI program is a partnership between: