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What is TBI?

How Is Brain Injury Defined?

Definitions of brain injury can vary slightly depending upon the cause of injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is generally defined as an injury to the brain caused by an external physical force. Depending upon how the brain is injured, a person’s speech, movement, cognition, and behavior may be affected.

Schools follow the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) definition of TBI in determining a student’s eligibility for special education services.

The 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA defined traumatic brain injury as “an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child's educational performance.” The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgement; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma. 34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7 (c)(12)

This federal definition does not include “acquired” brain injuries caused by internal conditions, such as stroke, brain infection, tumor, anoxia, or exposure to toxic substances. It is however important to note that brain injuries of a traumatic or non-traumatic nature may have similar effects.

Brain Anatomy & Function

Frontal Lobe (located under the forehead--anterior)

Temporal Lobe (located on the side of the head above ears)

Parietal Lobes (located near the back and top of the head)

Cerebellum (located just above the brain stem and toward the back of the brain)

Pons (located superior to the medulla oblongata and inferior to the midbrain)

Medulla Oblongata The medulla oblongata functions as a cardiac and respiratory center. It is responsible for vasomotor control (nerves having muscular control of the blood vessel walls). It is also a center for cough, gag, swallow, and vomit.

Brain Stem (Located at the juncture of the cerebrum and the spinal column, the brain stem consists of the midbrain, medulla oblongata, and the pons.)

 

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