Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Approximately 9,000 people are admitted to hospital in New Zealand each year with a TBI. Many more individuals suffer mild head injuries or concussions in conjunction with other injuries (e.g. spinal injuries). Approximately 50% of those suffering a TBI are between the ages of 15 and 34.

Causes

There are a number of causes of TBI. These include:

• road traffic accidents
• sports injuries
• assault
• playground accidents
• workplace accidents

Characteristics

Individuals who suffer a TBI may present with a wide variety of difficulties. These may include one or more of the following:

• difficulties with attention, concentration, problem-solving, remembering information, and planning
• speech difficulties ranging from speech that is unable to be understood by others (unintelligible) to mildly slurred speech
• language difficulties such as difficulties understanding speech, difficulties expresing thoughts, finding the right word, and difficulties with reading and spelling
• difficulties communicating and/or behaving appropriately in social situations
• depression, irritability, or mood disturbances
• difficulty eating and drinking
• reduced or altered physical movement and sensation (e.g. balance problems, fatigue, or slow reactions)
• altered senses of sight, smell, hearing, and taste

All of these difficulties can affect an individual's ability to:

• return to work
• maintain social roles and responsibilities
• continue with previous hobbies or interests
• drive
• maintain independance in sel-care (e.g. dressing, washing, feeding, or cooking)
• difficulty maintaining social relationships

In addition, these difficulties often affect an individual's sense of identity, confidence, and self-esteem.

Role of the Speech-Language Therapist

Speech-Language Therapists often have a significant role to play in the rehabilitation of indviduals with a TBI. Some of their tasks include:

• assessment and diagnosis of any communication or swallowing disorders
• formulation of goals/treatment plans for communication and/or eating/drinking with the individual, their family/carers and the rest of the rehabilitation team
• provision of advice to family/carers and the rest of the rehabilitation team on how to communicate effectively with the individual with a TBI
• referrals to other organisations or groups when appropriate 
• aiming to maximise the individual's ability to communicate effectively

What you can do

In order to assist someone you know who has suffered a TBI, you can:

• find out from the Speech-Language Therapist about his or her communication difficulty and the best way to communicate with them
• be aware of the effects of impaired attention and concentration on communication
• find out from the Speech-Language Therapist about any swallowing difficulties and any recommendations around this

More Information

For more information about TBI, or to contact a Speech-Language Therapist, try contacting:

• your doctor
• your local hospital or school
• the Yellow Pages
• Massey University Speech-Language Therapy Clinic: (09) 414 0800 ext 41290 / 41277
• the University of Auckland Speech-Language Therapy Clinics: (09) 303 5979
• the University of Canterbury Speech and Hearing Clinic: (03) 364 2408
• the NZSTA Private Practice Register

For more general information, try contacting:

• the Head Injury Society of New Zealand

nat-office@head-injury.org.nz

0508 444 357

http://www.head-injury.org.nz/

• Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)

information@acc.co.nz

(04) 918 7700

http://www.acc.co.nz/