Information about acquired brain injury, causes, effects, diagnosis, treatment and available supports.
On this page:
What is acquired brain injury?
Causes of acquired brain injury
Types of brain injury
Effects of brain injury
Diagnosing acquired brain injury
Treatment and rehabilitation for acquired brain injury
Compensation
Support for people with acquired brain injury
What is acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury is any brain injury that occurs after birth. Some people suffer a mild injury, such as a fall from a bicycle or a sporting injury, that results in a short loss of consciousness but does not appear to require medical treatment. Other people experience traumatic events, such as a serious car accident, that cause significant disability. They will require significant intervention by medical and other support services.
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Causes of acquired brain injury
Acquired means the injury is not present at birth. Acquired brain injury can be caused by a variety of events and conditions including:
- traumatic head injury from motor vehicle crashes, sporting or other accidents
- stroke, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or haemorrhage
- brain tumour or treatment for brain tumour
- an incident that causes a lack of oxygen to the brain (for example, near-drowning)
- infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
- alcohol, drug abuse or poisoning.
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Types of brain injury
Acquired brain injuries can be divided into two types:
- Traumatic brain injury is caused by a blow to the head or the head being moved rapidly.
There is usually some loss of consciousness. The brain tissue can become damaged and stop working properly. This damage may be short-term and repair itself quickly. In other situations (for example, coma) it may take longer to repair or there may be some permanent damage or disability. - Non-traumatic brain injury covers situations where the cells are damaged or killed by toxic substances, lack of oxygen, pressure, direct infection or stroke.
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Effects of brain injury
Longer term effects of brain injury are extremely varied depending on their cause and the nature and severity of the injury. The effects may include:
- difficulty with concentration, poor memory, confusion, sleep difficulties
- fatigue, lack of motivation, depression
- changes in behaviour (for example, irritability, impulsivity, loss of social skills, lack of awareness, difficulty managing anger, planning and carrying out activities and daily routines)
- physical effects such as pain, changes in senses, seizures, dizziness, paralysis in part of the body.
People often find it difficult to understand brain injury because its effects are so varied and not easy to describe.
People with mild brain injury may experience changes that seem minor, such as sleep difficulties or lack of concentration, memory difficulties and not being able to plan and do everyday tasks. However, these difficulties can have a major impact on their lives.
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Diagnosing acquired brain injury
Most people who suffer an acquired brain injury are admitted to hospital, where a brain injury will be diagnosed.
If you suspect that you or someone you support may have had a brain injury that has not been diagnosed, contact your family doctor. Keep in mind that many doctors have had little experience of the effects of brain injury, so you may need to ask for a referral to a neuro-psychologist so that you can be properly diagnosed.
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Treatment and rehabilitation for acquired brain injury
Most people who suffer a brain injury are admitted to hospital. They may then be offered some rehabilitation before returning home or moving into alternative accommodation. Rehabilitation means helping a person to re-learn skills and to restore as much strength and independence as possible after a serious illness or accident. Rehabilitation is provided to both inpatients and those who are living at home.
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services
The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services provide rehabilitation programs for adults with acquired brain injuries.
Their services include:
- The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU) for inpatients requiring medical and nursing care. The unit is located within Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. Phone 8222 1930.
- Community and home-based rehabilitation programs from sites based at Felixstow and Fullarton.
- The Brain Injury Tele-Rehabilitation Service for rural and remote country South Australian clients. Adelaide-based practitioners and therapists work with the country patients, family carers and therapists using video-conference equipment.
For more information contact:
Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre
(A campus of the Royal Adelaide Hospital)
207-255 Hampstead Road
Northfield SA 5085
Phone: 8222 1930
Fax: 8222 1966
Paediatric Rehabilitation Department
The Women's and Children's Hospital Paediatric Rehabilitation Department provides both intensive inpatient and Ambulatory Rehabilitation Services for children with acquired brain injury. The aim is to assist children and adolescents achieve the highest level of independence possible—physically, socially and psychologically—to maximise their quality of life and their participation within their family and community.
Referrals by clinicians can be mailed, faxed or emailed to the Paediatric Rehabilitation Department at:
Paediatric Rehabilitation Department
Women’s & Children’s Hospital
Children, Youth & Women’s Health Service
72 King William Rd
North Adelaide, South Australia 5006
(Located on 1st floor, Rieger Building)
Phone: 8161 7367 or 8161 7220
Fax: 8161 8488
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Compensation
In some circumstances (for example, vehicle crashes), people who have an acquired brain injury may be able to get compensation. For more information see concessions and entitlements.
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Support for people with acquired brain injury
People with an acquired brain injury, their families and friends often need help to manage the short and longer term effects of brain injury. This journey can be long and hard for all involved.
Many people involved in the life of a person with acquired brain injury (for example, teachers or employers) can offer support. They may just need to be asked and given some information about brain injury and its effects.
Some people with significant brain injury need a lot of support, such as equipment and personal care, so that they can live in the community. Find out about supports available for people with disabilities, including acquired brain injury, on:
Some approved organisations also specialise in information and support for people with a brain injury. You may be able to book in by calling them directly (there may be fees) or they will advise you where to go for a referral.
- The Brain Injury Network of South Australia Inc (BINSA)
BINSA members are people with acquired brain injury, their relatives and interested professionals and support workers. Many people find this support network valuable. BINSA runs several services and programs. - City of Onkaparinga Woodwork Shed
For people who have an acquired brain injury, who live in the City of Onkaparinga and are seeking trade skill development opportunities. - Flinders University Community Re-entry program
A support program for adults with brain injury aiming to enhance their skills and talents to help to reintegrate into the community and improve their quality of life. Phone 8201 3311 or email jaime.gardner@flinders.edu.au for more information.
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Acknowledgement
Disability Services would like to thank the Brain Injury Network of South Australia for assistance in developing this content.