Returning to School After a Brain Injury

Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

A student's return to school following a brain injury can be a challenging time for the student, family and school but it is an important part of the rehabilitation process. To assist in making this return to school as positive as possible, it is important that the family, rehabilitation team and school plan for this very carefully. Planning often occurs when the student is still in hospital.

It is important that information about the student's brain injury is given to the school so that planning can occur on ways to best meet the student's needs. It is a good idea to give information such as hospital reports and to meet with the school before a student returns to school. Often one or more members of the rehabilitation team, will be involved in this. Specific preparation may be necessary including:

• Completing physical adaptations or modifications to the school grounds to ensure suitable access.
• Providing therapy at school to target specific skills. Some schools offer therapy.
• Applying for government funding for extra assistance in the classroom or playground to assist with a student's safety, learning, mobility, social or behavioural skills.
• Applying for Special Exam Considerations if necessary.
• Providing information or education sessions for staff and students about the impact of the brain injury.

Why is contact with the school so important?

Many children make a good physical recovery after a brain injury. However, problems with attention, memory and learning may not become obvious until a child/young person returns to school. Therefore, it is important that teachers are informed if special educational help is needed to achieve the best outcome for the student.

Usually, there will be ongoing regular review meetings with the family, school and some rehabilitation team members to monitor a student's return and assist with their educational programme.

How soon should a student return to preschool or school?

Education is an important part of the rehabilitation process. Many children/young people initially return to school on a part-time basis and gradually increase their time at school as their physical or cognitive stamina improves. In the beginning, many students attend in the morning only. If in high school, the student may attend at different times of the day depending on when the different subjects are timetabled.

Useful things to discuss with the school

The effect of a brain injury upon a student can be varied but these things may be important to consider when talking to school staff:

• Medical information or any specialised health care procedures that a student may require. Eg. Seizure management, medication, participation in sports.
• Considering what school sports the student can do. Consider whether there needs to be an alternative to school sport for a period of time or if special adaptations to sports equipment, need to be made.
• If a student is in high school, it is a good idea to nominate a `school contact person' such as the School Counsellor or Year Adviser to take responsibility for active monitoring of a student's progress on a regular basis.
• Discussing strategies to assist with learning such as:
• timetable/diary modifications
• `free periods' for catch up or revision during the school day to minimise homework if fatigue is an issue.
• Prioritising workload for the student to focus on key learning outcomes.
• Classwork and homework may need to be modified
• The location of the child/young person in the classroom may need to be considered
• Buddy and mentor systems are useful supports for the student
• Special exam provisions for school exams and/or Board of Studies exams need to be addressed as part of the student's return to school eg writer, reader, additional time etc.

Who can I ask for help about school issues?

Talk with the school teacher, principal or counsellor if there are concerns about how a student is managing at school. Members of the Rehabilitation team such as Case Manager, Clinical Neuropsychologist or Therapists can also provide information and assistance.

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/