According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016), children ages four years and younger have the highest rates of any age group of emergency department visits due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is important for early intervention practitioners to be aware of the risk factors, signs, and symptoms of TBI in very young children. The resources and information found on this page are intended to help practitioners learn more about supporting young children with TBI and their families.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Available Resources
Virginia-Specific Info
Brain Injury Association of VA (external website)
BIAV exists to be the primary source of information and personal support for thousands of individuals, families and professionals living in Virginia whose lives have been touched by a life-altering, often devastating injury. Resources include a toll-free assistance line (1-800-444-6443), public education, outreach, awareness and advocacy information.
Brain Injury Services Coordination Unit (external website)
Virginia Dept. for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
The Brain Injury Services Coordination (BISC) Unit, located within DARS' Community Based Services Division in the Richmond Central Office, serves as a point of contact for internal and external customers seeking general or agency-specific information about brain injury resources.
Head Injury in Children (external website)
Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters
Visit this site to learn about head injury, including the differences between concussion, contusion, and skull fracture. Information is also provided on causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term considerations for children.
Handouts and Documents
Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome: A guide for Health Departments and Community-based Organizations (external website)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In this document, shaken baby syndrome is discussed as a preventable public health problem. Information is provided about facts, symptoms, and consequences. Guidance is provided about how to build a prevention effort within an agency and community.
Journal Articles
Alexiou, G. A., Sfakianos, G., & Prodromou, N. (2011). Pediatric head trauma. (external website) Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock, 4(3), 403-408.
In this article, the authors discuss the evaluation, neuroimaging and management of children with head trauma. Specific characteristics of each type of pediatric head injury are also presented.
Ewing-Cobbs, L., Prasad, M. R., Kramer, L., Cox, C. S., Baumgartner, J. …Swank, P. (2006). Late intellectual and academic outcomes following traumatic brain injury sustained during early childhood. (external website) Journal of Neurosurgery, 105(4), 287-296.
This article describes a study that investigated IQ and academic outcomes an average of 5.7 years after injury in children who sustained moderate to severe TBI prior to 6 years of age.
Li, L., & Liu, J. (2013). The effect of pediatric traumatic brain injury on behavioral outcomes: A systematic review. (external website) Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 55(1), 37-45.
The authors of this article discuss findings from a systematic review of the empirical literature on traumatic brain injury during childhood and subsequent behavioral problems.
eLearning, Presentations, and Webinars
eLearning
Basic Shaken Baby Syndrome Training (external website)
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
This course provides a basic understanding of the effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma (SBS/AHT) and how we think it can be prevented. This training is intended for parents and other caregivers, childcare workers, and students.
Webinars
More Than Just a Bump on the Noggin: Traumatic Brain Injury in the Young Child
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative | Partnership for People with Disabilities
Presented by Mandy Tribe, M.A.
This webinar features information about types of brain injuries, the incidence of brain injuries in very young children and the impact of those injuries on child development. Click the link above to vis
Tools
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Videos
Never Shake: Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome (YouTube)
Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri
This video was designed to inform parents and family members of the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Make sure that everyone who cares for your child knows the many serious and sometimes fatal injuries that can be caused when a child is violently shaken.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in Kids (YouTube)
NICHD Videos
Watch to learn more about TBI in kids. TBI is an injury caused by a blow, jolt, or penetrating object that disrupts normal functioning of the brain. Concussion and other types of TBI can seriously affect a child’s daily life. Brain injury can cause problems with speaking or understanding, movement or mobility, thinking or memory, and personality or mood.
Websites/Programs
How to Find the Right Car Seat (external website)
Parent Central
This site provides a video and steps for parents about how to determine the right car seat to keep a child safe and prevent brain injury during vehicle accidents.
National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (external website)
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome is committed to prevent shaken baby syndrome and promote the well-being of infants generally through the development and implementation of programs, policy and research; and to support and educate families, caregivers and professionals. Visit this site for information about shaken baby syndrome, prevention, and training resources.
Shaken Baby Syndrome (external website)
Mayo Clinic
Visit this site for information about the definition of shaken baby syndrome, symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion (external website)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Visit the CDC’s Injury Prevention and Control page on TBI for links to facts and statistics, information for parents, and information about risk factors, causes, signs, symptoms, and recovery from TBI.