Verification Guidelines for Children with Disabilities Technical Assistance Document Nebraska Department of Education Special Education Office September 2008

Traumatic Brain Injury Introduction Each year about 1 in 500 children Boys are twice as likely as girls to sustain a TBI Youth between 15 and 19 years are most likely (www.nashia.org)

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) Most injuries occur in motor vehicle crashes Other causes include falls, sports-related injuries, gunshot wounds, and physical abuse (Shaken Baby Syndrome) As a result of TBI, 30,000 children are left with significant functional impairment that impacts their ability to learn (www.nashia.org)

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) Three Part Eligibility Requirement Meet verification criteria (92 NAC 51.006) Documentation: Adverse Effect on Educational Performance Determination: Need for Special Education Services

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) State Definition The child must have an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment; Adversely affects a child's educational performance, or in the case of a child below age five, developmental performance.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) State Definition (cont’d) Includes open or closed head injuries. Impairments in one or more areas, such as; cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problems solving; sensory; perceptual and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. Does not include brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team Composition Verification Guidelines A description of an event that has resulted in an acquired insult to the brain. Evidence of impaired functioning that has been determined to produce an adverse effect on the child’s educational or developmental performance.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) Verification Guidelines (cont’d) Impaired functioning evident in one or more areas including: Cognition; Sensory functioning; Motor functioning; Behavior

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d)

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) Procedures to Determine Adverse Effect on Educational Performance: Factors to Consider Psychologists, speech-language pathologists, teachers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, are the primary professionals who can determine an adverse impact on the child’s educational performance.

Traumatic Brain Injury (cont’d) Related Definitions Frequently Asked Questions References and Resources

For Additional Information Special Education Office Nebraska Department of Education Telephone: 402-471-2471 Web Address: www.neb.state.ne.us/SPED/sped/html