At NAPA Center, we recognize Brain Injury Awareness Month each March as an opportunity to spread awareness about pediatric brain injuries and the rehabilitation options available. In this blog, pediatric physical therapist Cait Parr shares insights on traumatic brain injuries in children and discusses therapy options, including intensive pediatric brain injury rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
Join us in supporting children on their journey through recovery!
There are two main types of acquired brain injuries: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury occurs due to an external force, such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury, while a non-traumatic brain injury results from internal factors like oxygen deprivation, toxin exposure, strokes, or infections.
Pediatric brain injuries can impact mobility, cognition, communication, swallowing, and daily activities. According to the Brain Trauma Foundation, approximately 2.5 million people sustain a TBI each year. According to the CDC, the highest-risk age groups for brain injury are children ages 0-4 and adolescents ages 15-19.
While both can impact cognitive and physical abilities, treatment approaches may differ based on the underlying cause.
Traumatic brain injuries in children can result from various causes, including:
Falls, motor vehicle accidents, and unintentional blunt trauma are classified as unintentional causes, whereas abuse in infants and young children and assaults in adolescents are unfortunate inflicted causes of traumatic brain injury in childhood.
Complications of TBI (also known as secondary mechanisms of damage) may occur during the first 12-24 hours after trauma or up to 5-10 days after injury. These may include an intracranial hemorrhage (pressure on brain tissue) or brain edema (swelling/inflammation as part of the body’s natural response to injury, causing increased pressure as well). Other complications include hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, anemia, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hyperemia, hyponatremia, infection, epilepsy/seizures, and hydrocephalus.
Early intervention and rehabilitation therapy are essential for managing these risks and supporting recovery.
Management of TBI focuses on limiting the progression of the primary brain injury and minimizing secondary brain injuries. The clinical course of a TBI begins with global brain function impairments and then progresses through functional recovery phases. The most rapid recovery takes place in the first three months; at the end of that period, patients typically maintain this stable level of function without further deterioration.
The most rapid recovery takes place in the first three months
A patient’s healthcare team typically develops a prognosis, or prediction, based on injury severity variables including the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the length of coma, and the length of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). A “good” prognosis is typically given for a patient who can follow commands within two weeks of initial injury and has less than two months of PTA. “Poor” prognosis is given for those who are unable to follow commands after more than a month, have PTA for more than three months, and are older than 65 years of age. Statistically, a patient with a TBI unconscious at 3 months after injury is given a 36% chance of recovery, unconscious at 6 months after injury is given a 21% chance of recovery. For those still unconscious at the one-year anniversary of their injury, there are fewer than 20 total verified cases of recovery.
Pediatric brain injury therapy involves a multidisciplinary approach to help children recover and regain functional abilities. At NAPA Center, we provide comprehensive pediatric brain injury rehabilitation programs, combining different therapies to create individualized treatment plans.
Ultimately, TBI physical therapy focuses on maximizing physical recovery and help children regain independence in daily activities. At NAPA, our pediatric physical therapists work closely with the family to design customized weekly or intensive therapy programs to help the child improve strength, balance, coordination, and mobility.
TBI occupational therapy addresses challenges in performing everyday tasks at home, school, and in the community. Occupational therapy helps children develop fine motor skills, sensory processing abilities, and adaptive strategies for increased independence.
TBI speech therapy supports children with cognitive and communication difficulties, addressing speech articulation, language processing, and swallowing challenges. Alternative and augmentative communication devices can be used to improve speech therapy outcomes.
Some studies suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may aid in brain injury recovery by promoting cell repair and reducing inflammation. While more research is needed, families exploring additional treatment options may consider discussing HBOT with their healthcare provider.
Beyond medical care, emotional support is crucial. Family counseling and education help caregivers navigate their child’s recovery journey and implement supportive strategies at home.
Recovery from a pediatric traumatic brain injury is an ongoing process. The most significant improvements typically occur within the first three months, but long-term intensive outpatient rehabilitation helps facilitate continued recovery and progress. Intensive therapy programs help children reintegrate into school and community settings while developing new skills, reducing behavioral difficulties, and helping increase self-esteem.
At NAPA Center, our intensive pediatric TBI rehabilitation programs are designed to maximize recovery by providing an engaging therapy environment. With access to innovative therapies and expert therapists, children receive the individualized care they need to reach their highest potential.
Come visit us at NAPA Center and see what we can achieve together!
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Each March, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads a public awareness campaign. This year’s theme, “My Brain Injury Journey,” highlights the individual and complex nature of brain injuries. Every child’s recovery path is unique, and at NAPA Center, we are committed to walking alongside families every step of the way.
Join us this Brain Injury Awareness Month in advocating for pediatric brain injury rehabilitation and supporting children on their journey to recovery!
Cait Parr is a pediatric physical therapist at NAPA Center. Her favorite animal is snails, because they remind her to slow down and enjoy the beautiful details about life. She loves desserts almost as much as she loves long walks with her husband on the beach at sunset.
NAPA Center specializes in pediatric intensive therapy and offers customized programs for children with traumatic brain injuries and other neurological conditions at our clinics throughout the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. Interested in bringing your child to NAPA? Book a free phone screening with one of our therapists to learn more about our programs and how we can support your child. Welcome to the NAPA Family!
