Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Definition: A child with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a child with an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, which impairment adversely affects the child’s ability to receive reasonable educational benefit from general education. A qualifying Traumatic Brain Injury is an open or closed head injury resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term “traumatic brain injury” under this rule does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

TBI Eligibility Criteria (1)

An acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects the child’s educational performance.
The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairment in one or more areas, such as cognition; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory; perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing and speech.
The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma. Sec. 300.8(c)(12) of IDEA

TBI Eligibility Criteria (2)

To be eligible as a child with a Traumatic Brain Injury, there must be evidence of the following criteria:
Either medical documentation of a traumatic brain injury,
OR significant history of one or more traumatic brain injuries reported by a reliable and credible source and/or corroborated by numerous reporters

Important Resources

Brain Injury in Children and Youth:
A Manual for Educators (2018) (PDF)

Image: Building Blocks of Brain Development Small
Building Blocks of Brain Development
A model of brain development, injury, and support.

Jody Dickerson's OFFICE HOURS: ALL times will be 9:30-10:30 AM

11.14 - When do you need an IEP: Brain Injury REGISTRATION LINK 11/14

01.09 - Qualification Categories for Brain Injury REGISTRATION LINK 01/09/24

04.30 - Being Present at the IEP table REGISTRATION LINK 04/30/24 Registration will close on 04/16/2

BrainSteps

BrainSTEPS consulting teams support school teams in the development and implementation of educational plans following acquired brain injury.

Learning Opportunities

[Learning Opportunities]

Professional Development
Online Learning
Videos
Other

Resources

[Resources]

Organizations
CDE Webpages

Join the Brain Injury Listserv

To subscribe to the brain injury listserv:

Open a new email.
In the “To” field, type the email address TBI-subscribe-request@cdelist.cde.state.co.us and send the message.
You will receive a confirmation email. You will not be added until you respond to this email.
If you have a problem, try using “plain” text or check with the technology people in your district.

For more information, please contact:

Jody Dickerson, RN, BSN, MN
Brain Injury Specialist
Phone: (720) 795-2273
Email Jody Dick erson

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