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 Spanish.
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.
When Concussion Symptoms Are Not Going Away: A Guide For Adults. English and in Español.
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In collaboration with the Brain Injury Association of Virginia, the Mental Health & TBI Quick Guide was customized for TN and is available in English and in Español.
This Concussions and Mental Health Infographic developed from the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (https://concussionsontario.org/) is being shared with by Brain Links with permission.
TN Concussion Fact Sheet for Parents: Created from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) materials.
Nurse's Concussion Screening Checklist: Adapted by Brain Links with permission from the CDC.
The 5 Types of Concussion and 2 Modifying Factors Infographic was created to reflect the update to the model by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center based on extensive research previously developed by them and others. Word Document File.
Things to Watch For Over Time: This sheet will help you learn what symptoms to keep an eye out for after a concussion.
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.
A Guide to Possible Changes After Brain Injury in Young Children Ages 7 & Under
Symptom Tracker: Track Symptoms, pain level changes, what provokes and what helps. Good information to take back to the healthcare provider.
Brainstorming Solutions Tool: Helpful template for gathering information on person's skills and challenges to facilitate development of solutions. Great for direct service providers, students and new hires.
Strategies & Accommodations Tool: Use the Brainstorming Solutions Tool (BST) first, to help you figure out the person’s strengths and weaknesses. Then use this tool (SAT) to check off the strategies that might be helpful for each area you identify on the BST. When possible, complete this form with the person served and discuss the strategies with them. Ask the person if there are other strategies or ways of communicating with them that might be helpful.
Evidence-based Concussion Management Protocol 2023. Recommendation: 2 Visit Minimum.
A tool to guide screening, patient education, referral and ongoing monitoring. Outcomes are better if educational materials are given at the first visit.
** Use the Protocol with the TBI Toolkit for Health Care Providers.
** Explore this YouTube Video to learn more about the Protocol and other resources.
Material Rationale ~~~ Research Support
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.
CDC Letter: Returning to School After a Concussion
CDC Factsheet: Returning to School After a Concussion
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.
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
TN TBI Services Directory & Resource Information Guide: 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.
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.
Resilience and the Brain: This material is great for people of all ages who are looking to learn more about resilience, helping themselves and/or others. Building resilience supports brain health, mental health, physical health and ultimately longevity. English Text Document.
Optimize Your Brain: 3 Important Habits for Productivity, Memory, and Longevity (Based on 200,000 Brain Scans)
Brain Links YouTube Playlist on Brain Health
To Learn More on Brain Health!
Job Accommodations Network: a publication detailing accommodations for individuals with limitations related to executive functioning. These ideas may be helpful in determining accommodations.