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This webpage last updated
March 01, 2005 |
About Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is
damage to the brain which occurs after birth and is not related to a
congenital disorder or a degenerative disease.
Acquired Brain Injury may be either
temporary or permanent and may cause partial or total functional
disability or psychosocial difficulties.
The most common cause of brain injury
is a trauma to the head, such as in a motor vehicle crash, a fall, a
violent assault, or an industrial accident.
The brain is damaged by the collisions
of the brain and the interior of the skull, as well as by rotational
forces that occur within the brain tissue.
Other causes of brain injury include
stroke, brain aneurysm, brain tumours, certain viruses, and substance
abuse.
Some degree of recovery following a
brain injury is common, but the extent of recovery is difficult to
predict.
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The effects of brain injury may include
deficits in the following areas:
-
Communication:
deficits in
speech, comprehension, reading, writing
-
Cognitive
Abilities: reduction in
arithmetic or reasoning skills, concentration, memory
-
Physical
Functioning: visual deficits,
headaches, balance problems, fatigue, poor coordination
- Social/Behavioural Abilities:
poor social awareness, emotional problems,
impulsivity, reduced judgement, anger outbursts, depression, reduced
motivation, isolation
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