Any injury to the head may cause traumatic brain injury (TBI). “TBI is a brain injury that can happen from a bump or blow to the head or when an object goes through the skull and into the brain. No matter what type of TBI you have, damage to your brain happens right away. Later, you may develop seizures or brain swelling. Doctors treat these medical problems. TBI can cause speech, language, thinking, and swallowing problems. These problems can affect you in school, at work, and in everyday activities” (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.b).
“TBI is associated with one or more of the following characteristics:
- Changes in levels of consciousness
- Memory disturbances
- Confusion associated with deficits in orientation
- Neurological signs, such as brain injury observable on neuroimaging, new onset or worsening of seizure disorder, visual field deficits, and hemiparesis” (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.a).
Treatment
For TBI treatment, a SLP may help the client
- “improve speech to make it clearer
- express thoughts more effectively
- better understand what you read
- improve attention during daily tasks and activities
- Improve memory using tools like memory books, calendars, and to-do lists
- improve problem-solving, planning, and organization skills
- work on social skills, including reading social cues and taking turns in conversation
- learn ways to swallow safely” (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.b).
Additional Resource
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.a). Traumatic Brain Injury in Adults. (Practice Portal). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Traumatic-Brain-Injury-in-Adults/
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.b). Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury/