Brain Waves: UAB Traumatic Brain Injury Model System Newsletter Volume 13 | Number 1 | Page 4

TBI FACT SHEET SPOTLIGHTS
Returning to School After Traumatic Brain Injury
The effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are different
for everyone. Some problems are obvious, and some are
not as obvious at first, but become more noticeable over
time. The most common effects are:
• Physical changes: tiredness; lack of interest;
headaches; awkward movements; slowed reactions;
heightened sensitivity to light or noise.
• Cognitive (thinking) changes: forgetfulness; difficulty
learning new material; word-finding difficulties;
problems with organizing materials; easily distracted.
• Emotional changes: unable to deal with minor
changes in the environment or daily routine; little or
no expressed emotion; depression.
• Behavioral changes: irritability; inability to deal with
unexpected event.
Such changes can make returning to school a challenge
for students with TBI. However, Much of the frustration
and confusion related to returning to school can be
avoided with proper planning.
Most often the student’s family is working with brain
injury professionals and school personnel in the planning
process. There are many decisions to be made, and it is
essential for the student’s family to have a good resource
that can help them understand the process.

The TBI Model
System Knowledge
Translation Center
has a fact sheet to
help with answers
to some common
questions.
• What laws
protect
Returning to School
student’s rights?
• What special programs schools have to help
students?
• How can schools support students with TBI?
• What are possible classroom placement options?
• How can educators address challenging behavior?
• What other resources are available?
Find the answers in Returning to School After Traumatic
Brain Injury.
Portions of this column were taken from the fact sheet,
Returning to School After Traumatic Brain Injury.
Go to the website to find this fact sheet and others
offered by the TBI Model System Knowledge Translation
Center.

Vision Problems and Traumatic Brain Injury
We often think about vision as being simply what we
see. However, vision also includes how our brains make
sense of what we see. Vision also helps other systems in
the body work well. These systems include thinking and
moving.
There are a variety of visual problems that can occur
at different time points in your recovery from brain injury.
Some of the most common types of vision problems
include:
• Blurred vision, especially with seeing up close
• Double vision
• Decreased peripheral vision
Such problems can greatly impact many areas of daily
living activities. It can be more difficult for you to read
or do activities up close. It may be harder for you to be
comfortable in some kinds of environments. You may
have discomfort or pain. It can affect posture, balance,
or moving through space. It may affect your brain’s
ability to take in and understand visual information (visual
cognition). All of this can impact driving, employment,
school, recreational activities, and other aspects of life.
These are key areas that can have a great impact on a
person’s overall quality of life.

4

uab.edu/tbi

The TBI Model System
Knowledge Translation Center
has a fact sheet to help with
answers to some common
questions.
Vision after TBI
• What are common causes
of vision problems?
• How can these vision problems affect my day-to-day
life?
• What kinds of professionals can I consult with and
what kinds of treatment are available?
• What kinds of optical devices can help me manage
vision problems?
• What other types of devices and strategies can help
me manage vision problems?
Find the answers in Vision Problems After Traumatic
Brain Injury.
Portions of this column were taken from the fact sheet,
Vision Problems After Traumatic Brain Injury.
Go to the website to find this fact sheet and others
offered by the TBI Model System Knowledge Translation
Center.