A traumatic brain injury is 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 student’s educational performance.

The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one (1) or more of the following areas:

• Cognition

• Language

• Memory

• Attention

• Reasoning

• Abstract thinking

• Judgment

• Problem-solving

• Sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities

• Psychosocial behavior

• Physical function

• Information processing

• Speech

The term, traumatic brain injury, does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

Identification and eligibility for special education is determined by the case conference committee using the required assessment components.  See “Required Assessment Components for Eligibility Areas. "