An acquired brain injury (ABI) occurs after birth and can be caused by stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, substance abuse, anoxia, or physical trauma to the head. Traumatic brain injuries are caused by accidents, falls, blows to the head, or concussions from sports. Concussions can cause mild or severe ABI. Closed head injuries involve damage without penetration, while open head injuries penetrate the skull. Non-traumatic brain injuries result from lack of oxygen, blood, or glucose due to events like stroke or drug overdose. ABI may cause hidden disabilities like memory loss or difficulty speaking but outward physical signs are not always present. Understanding each person's experience is important.

1. Brain Injury Matters
What is an ABI?

2. Brain Injury Matters
● Aquired Brain Injury occurs after birth.
● Most frequent occurrences are from stroke,
Parkinsons and Huntingtons disease, multiple
sclerosis, substance abuse (drug/alcohol),
anoxia (near drowning), physical injury
(described as Traumatic Brain Injury)

3. Brain Injury Matters
● Traumatic Brain Injury
is caused from infliction to the head such as
accident, many car accidents can cause
traumatic brain injury, fall, severe blow to
head, concussion .

4. Brain Injury Matters
● Traumatic Brain Injury is caused from infliction
to the head such as accident, many car
accidents can cause injury, fall, severe blow to
head, concussion .
Sports injury
can lead to concussion
through tackles to
unprotected head.
Research shows repeated mild concussion can lead to severe ABI

5. Brain Injury Matters
● Closed TBI happens when the brain is hurt
without anything (like a knife, a bullet, or other
.
object) going through the skull. There are
many ways the brain can be injured in a
closed TBI. Car accidents and falls are the
most common causes of injury.
● Open TBI happens when something goes
through the skull and hurts the brain. Things
like a gunshot wound to the head, a stab
wound, or a severe skull fracture can cause
an open TBI.

6. Brain Injury Matters
● Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
● Causes include lack of oxygen, blood or
glucose that can occur through stroke, heart
attack, near drowning, strangulation or
chemical reaction from alchohol or drug
overdose

7. Brain Injury Matters
How do you view disability?

8. Brain Injury Matters

9. Brain Injury Matters
● Not all people with acquired brain injury have
a physical disability. Many seem like any
average person.
● That is why it is often called the hidden
disability.

10. Brain Injury Matters
One of them has a hidden disability

11. Brain Injury Matters
● The most common result
of abi is loss of memory
and concentration.
● Difficulty in finding words
to form sentences.
● Long term effects are
different from person to
person.

12. Brain Injury Matters
● People with an abi may have slurred speech
and different physical movements.
● People with an abi may seem average, most
of the time.
● ABI is sometimes very difficult to notice.
● It is advisable to get to know the person by
building rapport.

13. Brain Injury Matters
● An example may be a care giver is called to
an individual who has failed to pay rent.
● Develop rapport and the possibility may be
that 'I forgot to pay the rent' and 'now my
money has run out'
● Work with the person and help develop a
reminder plan.

14. Brain Injury Matters
● A person with an abi may be a drug or
alchohol related injury.
● Build rapport and seek the persons interests
and previous activities.
● It is always preferable to build a friendship to
understand the cause of the injury,