SpeechPathology.com Phone: 800-242-5183


Progressus Therapy

Why is there a significant undercounting of children with moderate to severe TBI in schools

Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS

September 2, 2024

Share:

Question

Why is there a significant undercounting of children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in schools, and what factors contribute to this discrepancy?

Answer

The significant undercounting of children with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in schools can be attributed to several factors. Primarily, standardized language and cognitive testing often fails to capture the deficits experienced by these children. Although they may perform adequately on developmental language tests or neuropsychological assessments in controlled environments, these tests do not reflect their real-world challenges. In classrooms and social situations, these children often struggle despite appearing physically recovered, which contributes to the "invisibility" of their injuries.

Physical recovery from a TBI typically precedes cognitive, communication, and language recovery. This leads to situations where children seem physically fine, but they face significant difficulties in academic and social settings. The discrepancy arises because the observable signs of a TBI can be subtle, leading educators and peers to overlook the ongoing cognitive and communicative challenges these children face.

Furthermore, the impact of a TBI can evolve as children grow older. While initial recovery may seem successful, new cognitive and academic difficulties can emerge over time as developmental demands increase. This delayed manifestation of deficits can further contribute to the underreporting and misunderstanding of the long-term effects of TBIs in the school environment.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course Students with Brain Injury: Implementing Curriculum-Based Assessment and Intervention presented by Jennifer Lundine, PhD CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS.


jennifer lundine

Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS

Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at The Ohio State University and a researcher at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she formerly worked as an SLP on the pediatric rehabilitation unit. She is board certified by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences. Her research focuses on improving gaps in access to and utilization of services to support children with acquired brain injury (ABI) and identifying specific approaches to improve assessment and treatment practices for these children.


Related Courses

Students with Brain Injury: Implementing Curriculum-Based Assessment and Intervention
Presented by Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS
Video

Presenter

Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS
Course: #10842Level: Intermediate1.5 Hours
  'Great content for a well needed course'   Read Reviews
Delayed developmental consequences of pediatric brain injury (BI) and their potential impact on school performance are described in this course. Practical methods for assessment and intervention that can be incorporated into school settings are identified, and strategies that encourage professional and family collaboration to assist students with BI across the educational continuum are described.

Using Nonstandardized Assessment to Evaluate Cognitive-Communication Abilities in Students with Traumatic Brain Injury
Presented by Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS
Video

Presenter

Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS
Course: #9035Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'We definitely need more courses like this! So often "subtle" cognitive-communication deficits have massive impacts on mental health and success in the "real world"'   Read Reviews
This course addresses the challenges and opportunities for speech-language pathologists who evaluate cognitive-communication disorders in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Specific, evidence-based strategies for nonstandard assessment are discussed.

Dining Well with Dementia: This Is a Lot to Swallow!
Presented by Laurie Walther, MS, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenter

Laurie Walther, MS, CCC-SLP
Course: #11028Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Specific techniques like the hand on hand feeding to encourage a sense of self-feeding and independence'   Read Reviews
Dining well with dementia sounds easy, yet it has so many layers. Progressive brain changes associated with dementia, and their impact on one's senses, language, and motor skills are discussed in this course. How these changes affect feeding, swallowing, eating, intake, and nutrition/hydration are described, and practical tools and tips to add to your toolbox are provided.

MCI/Dementia: Writing Caregiver Education into Clients' Plans of Care
Presented by Allison Gallaher, MS, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenter

Allison Gallaher, MS, CCC-SLP
Course: #10798Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'The case studies with goal examples were very helpful'   Read Reviews
This course addresses the importance and methodology of writing goals that are family-centered in order to improve the outcomes of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The addition of Caregiver Education to the 2024 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes is also discussed.

Social-Emotional Challenges of Adolescents: Impact on Communication and Daily Living
Presented by Jessica A. Brown, PhD, CCC-SLP
Live WebinarTue, Nov 5, 2024 at 3:00 pm EST
Tue, Nov 5, 2024 at 3:00 pm EST

Presenter

Jessica A. Brown, PhD, CCC-SLP
Course: #11063Level: Intermediate1 Hour
Adolescents often face social-emotional challenges such as managing peer pressure, identity development, and heightened anxiety. How these challenges impact communication, relationships, and daily functioning are discussed in this course. Collaboration opportunities and strategies to support teens in navigating emotional regulation, self-awareness, and effective communication in both academic and personal settings are also described.

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.