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CM Cover Autumn 2011
CM Cover Autumn 2011
Traumatic Brain Injury
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
0508 444 357
http://www.head-injury.org.nz/
- Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)
(04) 918 7700
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