Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Definition

Traumatic brain injury means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.

Traumatic brain injury applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech.

Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma (A.R.S. § 15-761).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for special education is based on an evaluation pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-766 and the following requirements:

• The student has an acquired open or closed injury to the brain that was caused by an external physical force that has resulted in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects performance in the educational environment. Resulting impairments include such areas of disability as cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, behaviors, physical function, information processing, and speech.
  • The injury is not congenital or degenerative or induced by birth trauma.
  • The injury has been verified by a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy.
  • The student was evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disability.

TBI Training Events

For information about future TBI training opportunities, please contact Christy Hegebush.

Brain Injury Resources

Arizona Governor's Council on Spinal and Head Injuries

Brain Injury Alliance of AZ

Brain Injury Association of America

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators