If you are looking for information supporting Service Members who are serving or have served in the Military, check out the "Helpful Resources" section. Additional resource materials in Español can also be found in this section.
Oregonians Living with Brain Injury video created for the 2021 Brain Injury Awareness Month. Meet peers with brain injury and providers as they share the importance of awareness, education, and support
Personal Guide for Everyday Living: A tool to help people with TBI (especially mild TBI) better understand what conditions make things harder and what the person can do about it. Best if used as part of a conversation with the clinician. English and in Español.
Symptom Tracker: Track Symptoms, pain level changes, what provokes and what helps. Good information to take back to the healthcare provider.
When Concussion Signs Are Not Going Away: Signs, symptoms and danger signs, plus what to look for over time and where/how to seek help for symptoms that aren't going away. Contact us for more information: tbi@tndisability.org
For Parents of Children Five and Under. English and in Español.
For Parents of School-Aged Children. English and in Español.
For Adults. English and in Español.
Concussion Management Protocol
Explore this YouTube Video to learn more about the Protocol and other resources
Six Types of Concussion Infographic & Fact Sheet: Brain Links developed a useful summary on the back page of an easy to understand infographic created by ReThink Concussions at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
A Guide to Possible Changes After Brain Injury: For Children Ages 7 and Under
A Guide To Possible Changes After Brain Injury: For School-Aged Children & Adults: By design, the Guide is best when distributed by rehabilitation personnel in inpatient and outpatient therapy programs and by medical personnel in trauma units, pediatrician’s offices, family practices, neurology offices, surgical offices, and other specialty offices. It is meant to be given to anyone who has sustained a diagnosed brain injury, as well as anyone who sustained a significant trauma where they may experience brain injury symptoms and downstream consequences; even if they do not show early symptoms or early symptoms seem to have cleared. English and in Español
TN TBI Service Coordination Program: There are currently eight Service Coordinators located in various agencies across the state providing assistance to people with brain injury and family members. Services are free of charge. Get Started.
Service Coordination services are provided free of charge, services include:
Develops a comprehensive plan of care
Provides referrals to available resources
Coordinates services for individual client advocacy
Bridges gaps in the service delivery system.
Virtual and In-person Brain Injury Support Groups have been established across the state. To learn more about services call 1-800-882-0611.
Brain Health: How to Have a Healthy Brain Throughout Life: By design provides research-based tips for creating a healthy brain, regardless of age. This guide was originally developed to help people with brain injuries recover to the fullest extent possible and to help them prevent or minimize potential negative changes as they age. However, it was quickly realized that the information in Brain Health is beneficial for everyone. English and in Español.
Signs & Symptoms: Age Specific Patient Educational Tools:
Brain Injury in Young Children: Refer to this tool to learn more about the signs and symptoms and the effects of multiple brain injuries for children under age five. English and in Español.
Older Child's Signs & Symptoms: Refer to this tool to learn more about health problems, behavior changes, thinking difficulties, and communication changes associated with concussions, as well as when to reconsult a doctor. English and in Español.
Adult Signs & Symptoms Tool: English and in Español.
Recognizing Concussion in People Who Communicate Without Words: English and in Español.
When Concussion Symptoms Are Not Going Away: Signs, symptoms and danger signs, plus what to look for over time and where/how to seek help for symptoms that aren't going away. Contact us for more information: tbi@tndisability.org
For Parents of Children Five and Under. English and in Español.
For Parents of School-Aged Children. English and in Español.
For Adults. English and in Español.
Six Types of Concussion Infographics and Fact Sheet: Brain Links developed a useful summary for the back of an easy to understand infographic created by ReThink Concussions at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) Inforgraphics and Factsheets
Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC): Traumatic Brain Injury Factsheet Booklet in English and in Español.
Concussion & Injury Prevention Resources
TN Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents: Created from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) materials.
CDC Playground Safety: This sheet will help you learn how to spot a concussion and protect your child from concussion or other serious brain injury each time you take your child on an outdoor play adventure.
CDC Concussion Fact Sheet for Families
CDC - "HEADS UP" Athlete Fact Sheets: Specific concussion information for coaches, parents, sports officials, and teen athletes
- Parents & Parent/Athlete Concussion Information Sheet
- "HEADS UP" to Youth Sports
- "HEADS UP" to School Sports
- "HEADS UP" to High School Sports: Official
TN Return to Learn/Return to Play Concussion Management Guidelines 2020: These guidelines are designed for sport and non-sport related concussions. The document includes information regarding concussions/TBIs, as well as information about returning to learn and play at home, school, and the field after a concussion. In 2013, the state of Tennessee passed the Tennessee Sports Concussion Law designed to educate coaches, athletes, and families about concussions, remove athletes who appear to have a concussion, and require clearance by a licensed health care provider before returning to play.
Understanding the Injury
Video: Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury: Information For Families: is a compilation of four brief, helpful video clips and several state and national websites. This resource can be viewed by families while at the hospital or anyone needing to better understand this injury and where to learn more. These videos are also captioned.
English: https://youtu.be/xspCFq3MWZo Español: https://youtu.be/wxbpHtK0byw
Things to Watch For Over Time: This sheet will help you learn what symptoms to keep an eye out for after a concussion.
Simplified Brain Behavior: Describes the lobes of the brain and the associated behaviors of each area.
Brain Development Graph: Learn about the Colorado Department of Education's Building Blocks of Brain Development. The building blocks included represent typical areas of processing/learning and those that are commonly affected by brain injury.
TBI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC): A quick fact sheet outlining the basics of a concussion and concussion recovery. English and in Español.
Job Accommodations Network: a publication detailing accommodations for individuals with limitations related to executive functioning. These ideas may be helpful in determining accommodations.
TN Vocational Rehabilitation: The Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR) provides a variety of individualized services to persons with disabilities in preparation for their employment in the competitive labor market. English and in Español.
TN Transition School to Work Program (TSW) and the TN Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
TN Support and Training for Exceptional Parents (TN STEP) STEP’s Mission is to serve families of children and youth, young adults, and those who are involved in their lives. We provide accurate, timely, and relevant information and training related to special education rights, equal access to quality education, and connections to community resources
La misión de STEP es servir a familias de niños, jóvenes y adultos jóvenes y todos los que esten involucrados en la vida de ellos. Nosotros proporcionamos información precisa, oportuna y relevante, además capacitaciones sobre los derechos de educación especial, igualdad de acceso a la educación y acceso a recursos de la comunidad.
Information Library Biblioteca de Información
TN Return to Learn/Return to Play Concussion Management Guidelines 2020: These guidelines are designed for sport and non-sport related concussions. The document includes information regarding concussions/TBIs, as well as information about returning to learn and play at home, school, and the field after a concussion. In 2013, the state of Tennessee passed the Tennessee Sports Concussion Law designed to educate coaches, athletes, and families about concussions, remove athletes who appear to have a concussion, and require clearance by a licensed health care provider before returning to play.
TN Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA): Concussion Return to Play Form, English and Español.
CBIRT: 504/IEP Accommodations & Modifications in the Classroom for a Student with a TBI: Each section is broken down into helpful categories - developed by the Center on Brain Injury Research & Training (CBIRT)
Returning to a Program After a Concussion Letter: This letter offers input from a healthcare provider with experience in treating concussion, a type of traumatic brain injury. This letter helps program providers and their caregivers support people returning to an adult program after a concussion. Use these recommendations to make decisions about support based on his or her specific needs. Most people will only need short-term support as they recover from a concussion.
Updated In-home Cognitive Stimulation Guidebook: The NIDILRR-funded University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Center (UAB-TBIMS) has published the updated In-home Cognitive Stimulation Guidebook.
- The guidebook offers activities to stimulate thinking skills of people with brain disorders, providing guidance and structure to individuals and their families as they recover.
- Each activity provides a group of tasks that can be done in the home at little to no cost and without professional expertise. Tasks are listed by their level of difficulty.
- Users may select activities that are appropriate to their progress.
The guidebook is available in PDF and digital formats.
National Aphasia Association's Helpful Materials. In addition to the ones listed below, there are several different aphasia materials that may be of interest such as, therapy guides, videos, assistive technology resources and more found on their website.
- Aphasia Factsheet
- Aphasia Apps
- Aphasia Cafe – a series of video chats for persons with aphasia, caregivers and professionals.
TN Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program: Call Toll free 1-800-882-0611.
TN TBI Services Directory and Resource Information Guide 2020-21: The Tennessee Department of Health Traumatic Brain Injury Service Directory and Resource Information Guide was designed to assist in locating programs, organizations, agencies, and services available across the state of Tennessee and the nation.
TN TBI Service Coordination Program: There are currently eight Service Coordinators located in various non-profit agencies across the state. The Service Coordinator’s role is to work with persons with brain injury and their family to access current needs. Services are provided free of charge. To learn more about service coordination or support groups reach out to your local Service Coordinator or call 1-800-882-0611.
TN Statewide TBI Support Group Information
TN Family Support Program: The primary purpose of the program is to support:
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Families who have school-aged or younger children with severe disabilities
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Adults with severe disabilities who choose to live with their families
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Adults with severe disabilities not supported by other residential programs funded by state or federal funds
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Services can include but are not limited to: Respite care, day care services, home modifications, equipment, supplies, personal assistance, transportation, homemaker services, housing costs, health-related needs, nursing and counseling. For More information in: West TN (901) 745-7215, Middle (615) 231-5057, East 423-787-6953 or contact the Statewide Office at (901) 308-3430.