Pediatric Brain Injury Program

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Because of advances in medical technology and intervention, school districts and general medical providers are being asked to provide educational and intervention services to an increasing number of children with Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). MeritCare developed this content to help educators and health care professionals learn more about ABI and how to work with children suffering from such injuries.

CARE

Types of ABI

An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that has occurred since birth. In other words, an injury that is not congenital. Causes range from direct neurological insult to metabolic/systemic illness.

Recovery from ABI

Recovery and long-term outcome following a brain injury is a complicated process, dependent on a number of factors, including the pre-injury status of the child and family, the age of the child at the time of injury and the length of time elapsed since the injury.

A Team Approach to Recovery

As patients recover from brain injuries, their needs are many and varied. That's why a team approach is so important. By bringing together a network of specialists and laypeople with a variety of expertise, patients and their families receive the holistic care and support they need to let the healing process begin.

Learning Tools

Recreational activities provide a relaxing, non-threatening way to help the brain-injured individuals develop skills.

Returning to School

When planning a child's return to school after a brain injury, a number of factors must be taken into consideration including adaptations to the classroom and academic stress points.

Resources for Families

The experience of returning home with a brain injured child commonly produces mixed feelings on the part of both the family and child. Feelings of anxiety, ambivalence, fear and inadequacy may prevail, as parents think about the daunting task of now having primary responsibility for the rehabilitation of their child. This is normal. Visit the resources for families for more information about support and resources available for patients.

Coordinated Treatment Center

The MeritCare Coordinated Treatment Center is located within MeritCare Medical Center. The programs offered by MeritCare Hospital and MeritCare Children's Hospital have been designed specifically for disabled adults and children.

EDUCATION

Health Library

Health Library

Learn more about how the brain works in the health library.

 
Glossary

Glossary

Learn more about brain-injury-related terms and their meanings, written with the health care professional in mind in the glossary.

 
Resources

Resources

A list of books, articles and Web sites to learn more about ABI.

 

LOCATIONS

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Research

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