Brain Injury / Concussion

Brain injuries or concussions can be caused by a variety of factors, most commonly as a result of a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. This can occur during sports activities, falls, car accidents, or physical altercations. Certain medical conditions and diseases, such as strokes, tumors, and infections, can also result in brain injuries.

Yes, a concussion is considered a mild form of traumatic brain injury or an “mTBI.” When a bump or blow to the head is significant enough to result in symptoms, this is considered a concussion. Symptoms might include headache, dizziness, confusion, and temporary loss of consciousness. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and management of concussions are essential for ensuring full recovery and preventing long-term consequences. Individuals should be evaluated immediately after a concussion to rule out life-threatening injury, and follow up with their doctor after 2-3 weeks, especially if symptoms are not improving.

Post-concussive syndrome, also known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS), is a condition where cognitive, emotional and/or physical symptoms following a concussion persist beyond the typical recovery timeline. Most individuals experience full recovery within 2-6 weeks following a concussion, especially when following recommended recovery instructions. Read more about PCS here.

Executive function (EF) refers to a set of mental skills that enable people to plan, organize, and manage their time and attention to achieve goals. These skills include problem-solving, working memory, self-control, and cognitive flexibility, and allow individuals to regulate their behavior, make decisions, and adapt to new or unexpected situations. It plays a crucial role in various daily activities, such as goal setting, initiating tasks, staying focused, and regulating emotions. EF skills are commonly affected by conditions such as ADHD, autism and injuries to the frontal lobe of the brain. Impairments in executive function can impact a person's ability to succeed in school, work, and social relationships.

Effective strategies and interventions targeting executive function can significantly improve an individual's functioning and overall well-being.

A brain injury or concussion can have a significant impact on an individual’s cognitive and communication abilities. Changes in attention, executive function, memory, and language are common. Cognitive skills such as attention and memory are necessary for functional and effective communication. Changes can lead to difficulty staying focused during conversations, organizing thoughts, and understanding social cues. Some people experience difficulty maintaining personal relationships. Symptoms such as fatigue or aversion to noise or light can also impact a person’s ability to participate in conversation. Read more on ASHA’s website.

Brain injury or concussion can have significant impacts on attention and memory functions. Changes in attention can manifest as reduced concentration, limited or slowed processing speed, or increased difficulty ignoring distractions. Memory changes can involve difficulty learning new things, remembering names, keeping appointments, and following through on intended tasks. These difficulties can have repercussions at home, school, or work.

If your loved one has suffered a brain injury or concussion, there are several ways you can support and assist them during their recovery. First and foremost, make sure that you have support through this process through a professional counselor, support group, or trusted friends. Educating yourself on symptoms of brain injury can assist you in separating ‘injury’ from ‘intention’ and reduce tension in relationships. Sharing strategies for supporting your loved one with family and friends can also be beneficial. Offering patience and additional time for communication and memory tasks can help your loved one regain confidence in their abilities. Your loved one may need your help to use new strategies, or they may want to work through this on their own. An SLP specializing in cognitive rehabilitation can provide valuable information and support as well as specific strategies for communication, memory, attention and return to independence and previously loved activities.

SLPs provide evaluation of cognitive-communication skills (i.e. strengths, challenges) and develop a treatment plan to lessen the impact of the changes on daily life. They provide education related to brain injury and associated changes for the person and their loved ones. Treatment might include retraining cognitive skills through specific exercises, developing strategies to improve attention and memory, and providing ideas for adapting previously enjoyed activities to increase the person’s ability to participate in the activities they enjoy.