Traumatic Brain Injury

cognitive communication

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Cognitive-Communication

Sensory Changes

Fine Motor Skills

Executive Functioning

Fatigue Management

Informational Resources

Cognitive-Communication

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a profound impact on communication. Sometimes these difficulties are apparent (e.g., word finding, reading difficulties), and other times they are more subtle or difficult to describe (e.g., trouble with conversations, taking the perspective of others). A TBI may affect speech/pronunciation, word finding, sentence formulation, cognitive-communication (e.g., verbal reasoning, planning), and social communication (e.g., conversation skills, reading nonverbal signals). Intervention aims to support clients with the communication skills required to return to life roles and activities such as activities of daily living (e.g., paying bills, making appointments), socializing, post secondary education, employment, or other meaningful activities.

Contact Shoreline for information on assessment and treatment options.

Sensory Changes

TBI can result in changes to sensation. Treatment aims to restore as much sensation as possible, increase understanding of these changes and how to avoid injury, and develop ways to compensate in daily life. Visual inattention or neglect to one side (e.g., not being able to ‘see’ the left side) can also occur. During intervention, clients learn to compensate with strategies so they can move around safely.

Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills – the use of the small muscles in our hands – are often impacted by brain injury. This can impact many functional tasks such as getting dressed, writing, preparing food, typing, and home repair. In addition to self-care and home life, these changes can have a significant impact on one’s employment. Improvement of fine motor skills and compensation strategies are the focus of treatment.

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning refers to a group of mental abilities such as attention, initiating, inhibiting, planning, reasoning, and memory. These abilities are commonly affected by TBI. These difficulties can significantly impact participation in life role such as family life, school, leisure, and employment. Treatment can help clients improve these skills and develop helpful strategies.

Fatigue

Fatigue after brain injury can have a significant impact on daily functioning and quality of life. In addition to medical management with your primary care provider (e.g., doctor), occupational therapists support clients in making changes to their life to optimally manage fatigue.