Traumatic brain injury: Challenges and considerations for the school

This qualitative study profiles two families on Prince Edward Island who have a child with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) currently in the school system. It explores the changes that the students, their families and their school communities experienced during their recovery and reintegration to school. The purpose of this research was to determine the challenges for a school when a child who has incurred a TBI returns to the classroom, and to provide school personnel with considerations to maximize a successful transition from home to school.

The research is based on a number of in-depth interviews with parents, medical professionals and school personnel. During the course of the interviews, a number of issues evolved which are consistent with findings from a review of the literature. The results of acquiring a TBI affects all aspects of the individual's life—cognitively, physically, behaviorally, and socially. These changes have a significant impact on the home, the school and the social environment of the child and need to be considered by school personnel during the reentry process. Key elements to consider for successful reentry planning include: educating school personnel on the extent of the injury and how it has impacted the child; collaborating with medical professionals, parents and the student to share information and provide a support team; planning for realistic and flexible goals and appropriate interventions; preparing students for the child's return in order to establish a peer support system; and seeking additional support both within and outside the school system to address the individual needs of the child. If schools use the guidelines outlined above to prepare for a child's return to school, they can become well equipped to provide effective services to students with a traumatic brain injury.