Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
( https://biaindiana.org/about-brain-injury/ )
ABI is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. Essentially, this type of brain injury is one that has occurred after birth. The injury results in a change to the brain’s neuronal activity, which affects the physical integrity, metabolic activity, or functional ability of nerve cells in the brain. An acquired brain injury is the umbrella term for all brain injuries.
There are two types of Acquired Brain Injury: Traumatic and Non-Traumatic.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
TBI is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. Traumatic impact injuries can be defined as closed (or non-penetrating) or open (penetrating). Some examples of a TBI include:
- Falls
- Assaults
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
Non-Traumatic Brain Injury (nTBI)
nTBI causes damage to the brain by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, pressure from a tumor, etc. Some examples of nTBI include:
- Stroke
- Near-drowning
- Aneurysm
- Tumor
- Infectious disease that affects the brain (i.e., meningitis)
- Lack of oxygen supply to the brain (anoxia or hypoxia)
Individuals with brain injury may experience:
Cognitive Challenges
- Memory
- Attention and Concentration
- Processing Information
- Communication
- Executive Functioning - i.e. Planning, Organization, Decision- Making, Judgement, Problem- Solving, Impulsivity, Initiation
Emotional & Behavioral
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- Mood Swings
- PTSD
Physical Challenges
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Vision
- Balance
- Motor Coordination
- Seizures
mTBI or Concussion
(https://biausa.org/types-of-brain-injury/concussion)
Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and are one of the most common types of brain injuries among children and adults.
A concussion is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.
Changes in the brain after these injuries are linked to symptoms that may affect how a person thinks, learns, feels, and acts. Three symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury.
Examples of common concussion symptoms include:
| Physical | Thinking and Remembering | Social/Emotional | Sleep |
| Bothered by light or noise | Attention problems | Feeling anxious | Sleeping less than usual |
| Dizziness or balance problems | Feeling slowed down | Sadness | Sleeping more than usual |
| Feeling tired; no energy | Foggy or groggy | Irritability | Trouble falling asleep |
| Headaches | Problems with short-term memory | Easily angered | Waking in the night |
| Nausea or vomiting (early on) |
Problems with long-term memory | Feeling more emotional | |
| Vision problems | Trouble concentrating |
Resources and Links
1. The Indiana NeuroResource Facilitation Program: The goal of the Indiana NeuroResource Facilitation program is to provide information and support to Hoosiers who have experienced brain injury. NeuroResource Facilitation staff provide referrals, resources, guidance, navigation, advocacy and more to individuals with acquired brain injury, as well as family members/supporters of individuals with acquired brain injury.
a. https://medicine.iu.edu/physiatry/neuroresource-facilitation
b. Brochure
2. Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI): The Brain Injury Association of Indiana (BIAI) is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals affected by brain injury through education, advocacy, support, resource navigation, prevention, and community outreach.
b. Brochure
3. Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems: This website provides free, evidence-based educational resources for individuals with traumatic brain injury, family members, care partners, and healthcare professionals, including fact sheets, videos, webinars, infographics, and practical guidance on recovery, rehabilitation, caregiver support, and transitioning from inpatient rehabilitation to community living.
4. Love Your Brain Yoga: Love Your Brain Yoga is a six-week program in Indiana that combines gentle yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and group discussion to build resilience, improve physical and emotional well-being, and foster community among individuals with acquired brain injury and other physical disabilities.
a. https://www.rhirehab.com/our-programs/community-reintegration/wellness-program/
b. Brochure
5. Easter Seals Crossroads Brain Injury Services: The Easterseals Crossroads Brain Injury Services Program, funded through Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation, provides individualized resource facilitation, brain injury education, skills training, and community-based support to help eligible individuals with brain injury achieve greater independence and successfully return to work, school, and community life.
https://www.eastersealscrossroads.org/services/adult-services/brain-injury-services/
