Useful Resources About Acquired Brain Injury

The Rehabilitation Department has a range of information about Acquired Brain Injury and services that are available within the community. The Brain Injury Service has developed specific resources that may be useful. These include;

Booklets

"Step by Step: A guide for families of children and adolescents with a brain injury".
When a child is admitted to hospital with a brain injury, there are many different people who become involved in their care. Families often ask questions about what is happening to their child and what impact the brain injury may have as their child recovers. This series of 5 booklets has been written to assist families during this time. They provide specific information about brain injury and its impact for the child. Each booklet deals with different issues and parents tips are provided throughout. It is a collaborative project made possible by staff from The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick. The production of the books was made possible through a grant from the Motor Accident Authority and are suitable for families, teachers and other professionals.

Booklet 1: An Introduction to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team
Booklet 2: Understanding the Causes and Effects of Brain Injury
Booklet 3: Physical Recovery and Learning After a Brain Injury
Booklet 4: Family, Emotions and Going Home
Booklet 5: Medico-legal Advice, Teenagers and Contact Numbers

To order the "Step by Step" booklets, please complete this order form and send to:

Kids Health (Child Health Promotion Unit) The Children's Hospital at Westmead Locked Bag 4001 Westmead NSW 2145

"Sexuality and Acquired Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Health Professionals and for the Family".
This book was developed by the Brain Injury Service at this hospital in conjunction with a range of other specialist professionals. The book provides information about the impact of acquired brain injury upon sexuality and covers topics such as; assessment issues, contraception, menstruation, sex education and legal and ethical issues. The book is intended for staff working in the area of brain injury, health workers, teachers and family and friends of young people with an acquired brain injury.

"Treating Children with Botulinum Toxin"
The current approach to patient selection, assessment, management and after-injection therapy for children given Botulinum Toxin to manage focal spasticity is covered. Approaches to Upper limb and Lower limb spasticity are presented with sections on casting, goal-setting, and strengthening. This book is directed to physiotherapists, occupational therapists, orthotists and physicians who manage children with spasticity - primarily those with Cerebral Palsy.

Videos

"Video 1: One Step At a Time: The experiences of brain injured children and their families".
This 28 minute video follows the progress of children who have been hospitalised following a brain injury. From the intensive care phase, to the time they spend during rehabilitation until they go home, families and staff share their experiences of the steps a child goes through in their recovery.

To order the "One Step at a Time" video, please complete this order form and send to:

Kids Health (Child Health Promotion Unit) The Children's Hospital at Westmead Locked Bag 4001 Westmead NSW 2145

"Video 2: Moving On: Changes and Challenges; The ongoing experience of brain injured children and their families".
This second video depicts the stories of children who have returned home to their communities and schools following hospitalisation with a brain injury. Families reflect on the changes they have made while adjusting to the ongoing challenges that face. The experiences of friends and siblings are also portrayed. Issues relating to school reintegration are also highlighted by teachers and brain injury staff.

Copies of the booklets, books and videos can be obtained from Kids Health or www.bandagedbear.com.au