Know your ABI

Acquired brain injury (ABI) can be caused by a traumatic injury to the head, perhaps sustained in a road accident or a fall.  ABI is often called a “hidden disability” and can have devastating effects.  ABI can affect a child’s memory, physical skills, ability to concentrate in class, develop relationships with peers and teachers and even alter their personality.

All too often the effects of brain damage go unrecognised. On the surface these children look and behave normally until they are put under pressure or face a situation they are unaccustomed to, such as the transition from primary to secondary school. The Children’s Trust can provide help and support to these children.

Click here to listen to our podcast - Fiona Adcock, head of the The Children's Trust's Community Support Team, explains the problems faced by children who are returning to school after an acquired brain injury and we hear from the mothers of two children with a brain injury.

Head injury is just one cause of ABI. There are many other causes of acquired and lasting brain damage in children which hospital figures do not account for, including choking, near-drowning or severe illnesses such as meningitis or brain tumour. The true incidence of acquired brain injury in children is likely to be much higher.

Fiona Adcock, head of the Trust's Community Support Team, says: “Getting used to the transition to secondary school can be difficult for any young person, but for those with an acquired brain injury it’s around this time of year that any difficulties they have in thinking, making friends and managing their behaviour in class can start to have a major negative impact on their lives. Without the kind of support that The Children's Trust offers, they can become isolated, fall behind and may end up being excluded. It’s vital that children with ABI are diagnosed and helped to reach their full potential.”

The Children’s Trust is campaigning to raise awareness of acquired brain injury amongst parents and teachers because the effects can be misdiagnosed or attributed to bad behaviour. Information packs are available for parents and teachers.

Click here for the information pack for parents.

Click here for the information pack for teachers.

The Children's Trust is currently undertaking it s biggest fundraising challenge yet - raising £7million to build a new national rehabilitation centre for children with acquired brain injuries. For more information on fundraising for the Trust, please visit our fundraising pages, where you'll find lots of fundraising ideas for individuals, companies and schools.

¹ 4,724- NICE Head Injury: costing report, 3rd October 2007

² Based on an average class size of 30 children