++Government of South Australia: Department for Families and Communities ++Disability SA Information Sheet ++Brain injury Acquired brain injury, often referred to as ABI, describes brain injuries of all types that occur after birth. People in the community often find it difficult to understand brain injury because its effects are so varied and they are not easy to describe. Some people may suffer a mild injury, such as a fall from a bicycle or a sporting injury that results in a short loss of consciousness but does not appear to require medical treatment. Other people experience traumatic events that require significant intervention by medical and support services. Individuals and their families/friends may need assistance to manage and overcome the short and longer-term effects of brain injury. This information sheet gives a brief introduction to the subject and offers readers links to further support and services. ++How does brain injury happen? Acquired brain injuries are not present at birth. They can be caused by a variety of events and conditions, including: - Traumatic head injury from motor vehicle crashes, sporting or other accidents - Stroke, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or haemorrhage - Brain tumour or treatment - An incident that causes a lack of oxygen to the brain (for example, near drowning) - Infections such as meningitis or encephalitis - Alcohol, drug abuse or poisoning. ++Types of brain injury Brain injuries can be divided into two types: - Traumatic brain injury, caused by a blow to the head or by the head being moved rapidly. There is usually some loss of consciousness. The brain tissue can become damaged and stop working properly. This damage may be short-term and repair itself quickly. In other situations (for example, a coma), it may take longer to repair or there may be some permanent damage. - Non-traumatic brain injury covers situations where the cells are damaged or killed by toxic substances, lack of oxygen, pressure, direct infection or stroke. ++The effects of brain injury The longer term effects of brain injury are extremely varied depending on their cause, the nature and the severity of the injury, but may include: - Difficulty with concentration, poor memory, confusion, sleep difficulties - Fatigue, lack of motivation, depression - Changes in behaviour (for example, irritability, impulsivity, loss of social skills, lack of awareness, difficulty managing anger, planning and carrying out activities - Physical effects such as pain, changes in senses, seizures, dizziness, paralysis in part of the body. Substantial assistance will be required for some people with significant brain injury. This journey can be long and hard for all involved. People with mild brain injury may experience changes that seem minor, such as sleep difficulties or lack of concentration, difficulty planning or doing everyday tasks; however, these difficulties can have a major impact on their lives. ++Treatment and rehabilitation services Most people who suffer an acquired brain injury are admitted to hospital. They may then be offered some rehabilitation, if they meet the criteria, before returning home or moving into alternative accommodation. Rehabilitation is provided as an inpatient or out-patient, and sometimes as both. Inpatient rehabilitation programs for people with acquired brain injury who require intensive, structured multidisciplinary programs are provided by the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit (BIRU), located within Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre (a campus of the Royal Adelaide Hospital). BIRU is one part of the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service (BIRS) covering South Australia and the Northern Territory, for adults with acquired brain injury. Clients who meet the criteria may then continue to receive out-patient therapy services from Brain Injury Rehabilitation Community and Home (BIRCH) which is also part of BIRS. More information about these services can be obtained by contacting: Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre 207–255 Hampstead Road, Northfield SA 5085 Telephone number 8222-1930 (Unit) or 8222-1965 (Manager) Fax number 8222-1975 ++Access to compensation In some circumstances (for example, vehicle crashes) people who experience acquired brain injury may be eligible for compensation. Where relevant, additional information and assistance should be sought about this area from a skilled solicitor. The Law Society of South Australia can advise you. Be sure to ask for a personal injury solicitor with experience in brain injury matters. ++Access to community support and services Your local general practitioner might be a valuable source of support to deal with diagnosis and required medical treatment for brain injury, but he or she might have had little experience of the effects of brain injury. If you suspect that you or someone you support might have had a brain injury, it might be appropriate to ask for a referral to a neuro-psychologist to facilitate a diagnosis. Many other people involved in the life of a person with acquired brain injury (for example, a teacher or employer) can be potential sources of support. They might just need to be asked for assistance and given information. Some people with brain injury require significant support services, which might include equipment and personal care, to enable them to live in the community. For people with on-going and substantial support needs, access to these supports is provided through two key service providers in South Australia. Demand for these supports and services usually outstrips supply; therefore, ongoing support is directed to those with significant needs who are most vulnerable. - Novita Children’s Services is a non-government organisation that provides therapy, equipment and family support for children with acquired brain injury (as well as physical or neurological disability). Inquiries and referrals on telephone number 1800-337-443 (free call). Their website is at www.novita.org.au - Disability SA is part of the Department for Families and Communities and provides services and supports for adults with acquired brain injury (as well as other disabilities). Information, inquiries and referrals on telephone number 1300-786-117 (for the cost of a local call). Our website is at www.disability.sa.gov.au ++Compensable Persons Policy Where a person with disability has received compensation that includes funding for disability support, access to Disability SA services is on a ‘user pays’ basis. Eligible people are obliged to inform Disability SA if they are seeking compensation for their disability and, once their case is completed, they must disclose details of the settlement. ++Useful contacts - Brain Injury Network of South Australia (BINSA) Telephone number 8217-7600 Country callers telephone number 1300-733-049 Website at www.binsa.org BINSA is a non-government organisation. Members are people with acquired brain injury, their relatives and interested professionals/support workers. Many people find this support network extremely valuable. BINSA runs several services and programs: - Learning and Lifeskills Program, which incorporates counselling services, courses and some support groups. Also Springboard, a rehabilitation program for adults with severe physical and cognitive disabilities requiring an extended community-based rehabilitation therapy program. - Advocacy Service, funded by the Commonwealth Government - Useful links are available on the BINSA website at www.binsa.org. - Commonwealth Carelink SA This website provides information about care services in South Australia that support and assist younger people with a disability, and older people, to live independently in their own homes. Telephone number 1800-052-222 Website at www.carelinksa.asn.au - Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service (CRS) CRS Australia is the Australian Government provider of vocational rehabilitation services with over 65 years of experience assisting people with a disability, injury or health condition to get and keep a job. CRS also provides injury management and prevention services to a variety of organisations. Website at www.crsaustralia.gov.au ++Other sources of information The Law Society of South Australia can be of help if you are seeking a reputable solicitor to provide legal assistance (for example, regarding compensation). They can be contacted on telephone number 8229-0288 or visit their website at www.lawsocietysa.asn.au The 'Children with Acquired Brain Injury' booklet was written to support families, schools, preschools and childcare services in their planning and support for children with acquired brain injury. It is the result of a collaborative effort by the South Australian Women’s and Children’s Hospital, and the Department for Education and Children’s Services, with generous support from the South Australian community through the Bluey Day Committee. Visit the website at www.decs.sa.gov.au/speced2/files/pages/chess/hsp/Pathways/original_abi_book.pdf Novita has a set of useful fact sheets that can be downloaded from their website at www.novita.org.au The Brain Injury Association of Queensland is the peak disability organisation in Queensland for those living with acquired brain injury. It has an extensive range of information available about brain injury on their website at www.braininjury.org.au The Australian Brain Injury Integration Centre specifically works with individuals who have been diagnosed with short-term working memory deficit after a traumatic brain injury. Visit their website at www.braininjurycentre.com.au The National Stroke Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that works with the public, government, health professionals, patients, carers and stroke survivors to reduce the impact of stroke on the Australian community. Visit their website at www.strokefoundation.com.au Headwest (Head Injured Society of WA Inc) has a range of information including an online self study training kit for staff working with people who have had a traumatic brain injury. The kit was produced by Brain Injury Resource Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, 2006. The Headwest website is at www.headwest.asn.au and the training kit is available at www.tbistafftraining.info The Brain Injury Foundation website has an extensive range of information related to the brain and brain injury on the website at www.brainfoundation.org.au The Alcohol Related Brain Injury Australian Services (ARBIAS) provides specialist services in alcohol and other substance-related brain impairment. It has an extensive website at www.arbias.org.au ++Copies of this publication are available from the Disability Information Service Telephone number 1300-786-117 Email to disabilityinfo@dfc.sa.gov.au Website at www.sa.gov.au/disability Revised December 2010