Children With Acquired Brain Injury

Children, young people and families living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), whether through accident, illness, injury or abuse, are rarely offered psychological therapy, and yet the benefits of such interventions can be profound. This important new book, providing a selection of practice examples and insights from frontline practitioners, will be essential reading for any paediatric therapist or clinician. Beginning with a "life story" of the brain where emphasis is placed on how brain development is fundamentally related to its environment, the book offers key background knowledge before showcasing the core topics of assessment, psychological formulation and intervention. It features a range of therapeutic models, includes direct and indirect work, group work and family therapy, with settings varying from inpatient neurorehabilitation to community work and the transition to education. The long-term needs of those in the criminal justice system are also addressed. The closing chapters focus on the debate around effective outcome measurement and outline a vision for better services. Elevating the voices of our children, young people and families living with ABI, this pioneering book will provide practitioners with the confidence to work collaboratively across a range of children and young people with disorders of consciousness or communication to those with behaviour that challenges others to manage. It offers new ways to understand both children’s pasts and their futures, and will be essential reading for anyone in the field.

Teachers have to be aware of their pupil's special educational needs. This title allows teachers to find out what an acquired brain injury is and how to maximise learning opportunities for those with the condition.

Teachers have to be aware of their pupils' special educational needs. Find out what an acquired brain injury is and how to maximize learning opportunities for those with the condition with this book. The book should help you to: support pupils with an ABI by using appropriate teaching methods; be alert to the social and emotional difficulties experienced by pupils with an ABI; work in partnership with families and other professionals following helpful guidelines; and access all the information you need with a glossary of terms and a list of resources and organizations.

Amanda's Fall, with charming illustrations by Bijan Samaddar, depicts an event common in schools today. Young Amanda gets a concussion after falling and hitting her head during recess. While she can hear people talking, she cannot respond. Amanda is taken to a doctor for evaluation. Wisely, her parents ask for a prognosis, which in Amanda’s case, is a good one. Author Kelly Darmofal offers readers her third book on TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), encouraging parents and caretakers to alert schools and, hopefully, doctors when any child is concussed; side effects can then be ameliorated. Studies show that Traumatic Brain Injuries represent the leading cause of death and disability in young adults in industrialized countries. According to the CDC, at least 564,000 children are seen each year for brain injury in hospital emergency departments and released. "Kelly Darmofal worked hard on recovering from severe TBI, and gained the special gift of ability to explain what she went through. This book offers transforming power to children and parents—those afflicted with TBI and those trying to prevent it." -- Dr. Frank Balch Wood, professor emeritus of neurology-neuropsychology at Wake Forest School of Medicine and ordained Baptist minister "Amanda's Fall is a delightful, much needed children’s book on Traumatic Brain Injury. Through the eyes of a child, it raises awareness, has tips for coping and offers support for those affected." -- Christina Condon NP, Neurology "Amanda's Fall is a lovely book that uses rhyme and colorful illustrations to engage young readers. Kelly Bouldin Darmofal's warm writing style makes it easy to understand the issues surrounding this potentially serious medical condition." Laurie Zelinger, PhD, RPT-S, board certified psychologist and author of Please Explain Time Out to Me "This is a cute and creative story to help young children understand their world after a traumatic brain injury. It teaches them that they are not alone in their experiences. The tips for parents are a valuable resource as well. -- Mary Jane Morgan, Lower School Principal, Calvary Day School "Darmofal has an ease in the way she writes about TBI. In this sweet story, she makes a difficult situation approachable and something to discuss. This is a wonderful story to share and educate children about TBI." -- Susie van der Vorst, co-Founder and Director, Camp Spring Creek Learn more at www.ImLostInMyMind.com From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

Interest in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders has grown exponentially in recent years across a range of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, education and neuroscience. The research itself has become more sophisticated, using multidisciplinary methods to probe interdisciplinary questions. Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Research Challenges and Solutions provides a thorough overview of the key issues involved in researching neurodevelopmental disorders. The volume includes 14 chapters, arranged over three sections. Chapters in the first section address general research challenges for the study of neurodevelopmental disorders. The second section draws upon specific disorders (such as Williams syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, ADHD, and Language Disorders) to consider the syndrome-specific issues or challenges that may be crucial to advancing our understanding of aspects of cognition and behavior associated with them. The final section considers how research evidence may be translated into practice to begin making an impact upon the lives of individuals who have neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. Each chapter in the book also includes ‘practical tips’ for either conducting research with individuals who have neurodevelopmental disorders or considering wider practical issues. The book will be indispensable reading for advanced students, researchers, and practitioners in the fields of developmental psychology, developmental psychopathology, special needs education, neuropsychology, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Management of Brain-Injured Children describes the epidemiology, assessment, and management of traumatic and non- traumatic brain injuries in children. Throughout, the emphasis is upon providing a multidisciplinary and integrated 'team' approach to understanding these problems. Each chapter has been written by specialists who have regularly worked with brain injured children, providing perspectives from neurologists, psychologists, a Hospital Play Specialist, a Social Worker, Speech and Language Therapist, Headteacher, physiotherapists, and finally, a parent's point of view. The book focuses in detail on the acute medical and nursing needs of the children, the types of problems and difficulties both they and their families encounter, and discusses how the child can be ultimately be returned to the community. Finally, recommendations for the prevention of such injuries are discussed. The book provides a comprehensive, and easily accessible guide for any specialists regularly, or occasionally required to deal with head injuries in children.