TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DOCUMENT

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONSPECIAL EDUCATION OFFICE

SEPTEMBER 2008

Verification Guidelines for Children with Disabilities

Traumatic Brain Injury

Introduction

Each year about 1 in 500 children

Boys are twice as likely as girls to sustain a TBI

Youth between 15 and 19 years are most likely

(www.nashia.org)

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Most injuries occur in motor vehicle crashes

Other causes include falls, sports-related injuries, gunshot wounds, and physical abuse (Shaken Baby Syndrome)

As a result of TBI, 30,000 children are left with significant functional impairment that impacts their ability to learn

(www.nashia.org)

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Three Part Eligibility Requirement Meet verification criteria (92 NAC 51.006) Documentation: Adverse Effect on Educational

Performance Determination: Need for Special Education Services

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

• State Definition

The child must have an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment;

Adversely affects a child's educational performance, or in the case of a child below age five, developmental performance.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

• State Definition (cont’d)

Includes open or closed head injuries. Impairments in one or more areas, such as; cognition;

language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problems solving; sensory; perceptual and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech.

Does not include brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Composition

Verification Guidelines A description of an event that has resulted in an

acquired insult to the brain.

Evidence of impaired functioning that has been determined to produce an adverse effect on the child’s educational or developmental performance.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Verification Guidelines (cont’d)

Impaired functioning evident in one or more areas including:

Cognition; Sensory functioning; Motor functioning; Behavior

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Procedures to Determine Adverse Effect on Educational Performance:

Factors to Consider

Psychologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, are the primary professionals who can determine an adverse impact on the child’s educational performance.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Related Definitions

Frequently Asked Questions

References and Resources

For Additional Information

Special Education OfficeNebraska Department of Education

Telephone: 402-471-2471Web Address:

www.neb.state.ne.us/SPED/sped/html