Sometimes head injuries in young children result from serious accidents in New Mexico. For example, a serious accident involving cars may occur on a highway, or an accident could take place due to faulty equipment on a playground. The traumatic brain injury that occurs as a result may go undiagnosed for a while but can result in learning issues that manifest themselves later.
Some children with brain injuries are currently receiving help through research that university faculty are conducting in another state. They were given a trust fund grant two years ago to create a screening tool that would help with identifying students with traumatic brain injury. The tool they ended up developing is called the Brain Check Survey.
Because brain injury in children is often invisible, it is not always apparent to educators. This means the injured students remain underserved, or they are classified as having disabilities other than traumatic brain injury. However, with the right screening tools, educators may more effectively assess students for injuries and assist them in qualifying for the related services they need.
A child with a traumatic brain injury stemming from a serious accident in New Mexico might have issues involving feeling overwhelmed by stimuli, fatigue and memory lapses. If the injury-causing accident was the result of another person’s negligence, a personal injury lawsuit may be filed against the reportedly negligent person. A successfully litigated lawsuit may result in a financial damage award that could help to cover the injured child’s medical treatment costs long-term.
Source: colostate.edu, “Screening tool for traumatic brain injury helps kids succeed in school“, Melissa Leavenworth Print, Oct. 11, 2016