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From
Date
03 December 2024
Link
inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/brain-injury
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Supporting learners with acquired brain injury

Practical approaches to support recovery and a return to learning following a concussion or other acquired brain injury.

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Current page section: Acquired brain injury and learning

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Go to top of current page: Acquired brain injury and learning

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Understand the basics about ABI

Learn about key concepts, terms, concerns and experiences.

An injury to the brain often has hidden effects on learning and wellbeing.

What you see on the outside may not reflect what a person is experiencing on the inside.

Ministry of Education

Summary of important concepts:

Understand the basics about ABI

Understand impacts on learning and wellbeing

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Effects are interconnected. Physical tiredness may affect emotions; mood may affect communication.

Source: Ministry of Education

Source:
Ministry of Education

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Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Strategies for action

Four strategies to support recovery and return to learning.

Review leadership and governance responsibilities

Impacts of a brain injury on learning and wellbeing are not widely understood.Review how you can support the recovery of all learners.

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Design a gradual return to activities, sports and play with whanau.

List the steps to safely get back to full activity.

Source: ACC New Zealand (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
ACC New Zealand
https://www.acc.co.nz/assets/im-injured/f700044861/ACC7639-Returning-to-activity-from-a-concussion-or-mild-traumatic-brain-injury.pdf

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Four suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Concussion: Support a return to learning and activity

Teachers can support recovery when they know what helps.

I think it [concussion] is one of the hidden and significantly under-identified and under-diagnosed issues in New Zealand.

Andrew Becroft, Children’s Commissioner

Source: Stuff, 2 July, 2017 (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Stuff, 2 July, 2017
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/94096509/teens-from-poor-areas-four-times-more-likely-to-suffer-untreated-concussion

Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Support a return to learning and activity

Learn how to provide effective support.

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Source: Pixabay (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/organizer-book-diary-open-tabs-295342/

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Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:

Non-traumatic brain injury: Support a return to learning and activity

A non-traumatic brain injury, such as a stroke, is caused by things going on within the body, rather than by an accident. It is critical that children and young people gradually ease back into activity and learning in a planned way.

11606 [Diary-page-https-pixabay.com-en-organizer-book-diary-open-tabs-295342-png.png]

Source: Pixabay (opens in a new tab/window)

Source:
Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/en/organizer-book-diary-open-tabs-295342/

View full image (213 KB) (opens in a new tab/window)

Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:

  1. Understand the injury

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  2. Support an effective return to ECE or school

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  3. Support physical recovery

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  4. Social and emotional support

    Includes:

    • Video
    • Resources

  5. Support attention, communication, and organisation

    Includes:

    • Resources

Key resources

Website

Helping New Zealanders living with brain injury: Resources and links

A range of downloadable resources and helpful links for those living with brain injury.

Publisher: Brain Injury NZ

Brain injury in children and youth A manual for educators

Brain injury in children and youth: A manual for educators

Read time: 212 min

How a brain injury can be recognised and managed, including sections on disruptions to development at any point, social and emotional competencies and response-to-intervention (RTI) plans.

Publisher: Colorado Department of Education

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How to use this site

Guide to Index of the guide: Acquired brain injury and learning

Understand:

Strategies for action:

Key resources:

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This is a Ministry of Education initiative​​​​​​​. We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes.

This information was downloaded/printed from the Ministry of Education's website "Inclusive Education". Except where otherwise noted it is Crown Copyright 2018.

Information on the Inclusive Education website is regularly updated so we recommend you check the website version of this information to ensure it remains current.