Date
04 October 2024
11650 [Brain-injury-guide-photo.jpg]

Supporting learners with acquired brain injury

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

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 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

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.

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

Five suggestions for implementing this strategy:

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

Learn how to provide effective support.

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.

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

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

More options

Browse all guides

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

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