Assessment of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is unique among areas of eligibility for students with disabilities in federal special education legislation, not in what is assessed, but why the assessment is taking place. If not for the injury, most individuals with TBI would be unlikely to come to the attention of special educators. Few education training programs appear to allocate sufficient attention to the category, so we present background information regarding prevalence, recovery, and outcomes before summarizing advice from the literature regarding assessment of individuals with TBI in schools. Although educators are unlikely to be involved in the initial diagnosis of TBI, they can be important collaborators in promoting recovery or detecting a worsening condition. Almost every assessment tool available to educators is likely to be of value in this endeavor. These include both formal and informal approaches to assessment. Working with individuals with TBI requires sensitivity and compassion.

Citation

Brigham, F.J., Harmer, S. and Brigham, M.M. (2021), "Assessment of Students with Traumatic Brain Injuries", Obiakor, F.E. and Bakken, J.P. (Ed.) Traditional and Innovative Assessment Techniques for Students with Disabilities (Advances in Special Education, Vol. 36), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 139-153. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0270-401320210000036009