QUESTION:

I have heard that a person who sustains a brain injury will experience a better outcome if he receives intensive rehabilitation in the first year of recovery. Can a person continue to make any significant progress after the first year? What about someone who does not receive rehabilitation in the first year -- how does this affect recovery?

QUESTION:

What is the role of the speech-language pathologist in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation?

QUESTION:

I have been advised to have a neuropsychological evaluation. What should I expect to occur during the evaluation? What will this evaluation tell me?

QUESTION:

After a minor car accident, I was taken to an emergency room and given a CT scan. The doctor said the CT scan showed no brain injury. However, here I am, 8 months later, and I am still experiencing problems. I have severe headaches, periods of confusion and memory loss, and difficulty finding the words to express myself. Is it possible that I sustained brain damage that the CT scan did not show? Should I have another CT scan to see if anything shows up now?

QUESTION:

My 14 year old daughter had a brain injury about 2 years ago and is still having some big problems. Several times a month I attend a support group for family members and people there talk about "CARF programs." I've never heard of CARF. What is CARF and should I send my daughter to one of these programs?

QUESTION:

Less than a month ago our lives changed, to say the least, when our mother (she's about 50) had a bad car accident. She's been in the hospital since. Now she's on what they call the Neurosurgery Floor, but they want to move her for rehabilitation soon. I've toured the two rehabilitation programs in our town. One of them is about 40 miles away, kind of far, but they say it has "CARF approval." The other one is about 5 minutes from our home. When I toured the program near our home and asked about CARF, they said they didn't have CARF approval. They said they didn't need it and most rehabilitation programs don't have CARF approval anyway. We have heard that CARF programs are better, but the CARF program is farther away. Both rehabilitation programs seem pretty good. What should we think about in making a choice?

QUESTION:

My parents are dealing with several medical professionals as my sister goes through acute rehabilitation. When I talk with my folks, I get the impression that they are "in the dark" when it comes to my sister’s care and progress. They seem confused about what the doctors have said and a little passive about asking important questions they have. Is there any advice I can give them on how to communicate more effectively with the doctors and rehabilitation staff?

QUESTION:

Is psychotherapy appropriate for someone with traumatic brain injury? The client in question has cognitive impairments in areas such as memory, attention, and judgment. However, the client is very motivated; he has a positive, open attitude. What would be the limitations and benefits of psychotherapy for someone like this?

QUESTION:

My brother sustained a serious head injury and remains hospitalized. The doctors say he is in an "agitated" state. He seems to have gone crazy. What does it mean to be in an "agitated" state and when will my brother regain his senses?

QUESTION:

What is the role of the Occupational Therapist in brain injury rehabilitation?

QUESTION:

My friend was caught in the crossfire of a gun fight and was shot in the head. His brain injury was serious but he is making progress. He is re-learning basic activities like eating, dressing, and other self-care things; however, he could do more with the proper therapy. Unfortunately, he is being discharged from the hospital this week. How can I help my friend continue to recover? Is there anything that his family and friends can do to help, even though we are not therapists?

QUESTION:

When my brother comes home from the hospital, he still will need some formal therapies; however, I would like to help him resume a somewhat "normal" life. He has recovered enough from the brain injury to participate in some non-therapy activities. I want to help him get back into everyday activities like work, socializing, and recreation. What can I do to help my brother with "community re-entry?"

QUESTION:

My family member is in the hospital after a car crash and will be discharged soon. While the hospital is recommending a nursing home, my family feels we should look into rehabilitation programs. What should we look for in a brain injury rehabilitation program?