Adjustment Problems

Physical	Communication	Cognitive	Behavioural / Emotional

A traumatic brain injury is a life changing and stressful event which may result in adjustment problems also knowns as adjustment disorder. An adjustment disorder may interfere with rehabilitation following a brain injury. Symptoms may include depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping or concentrating, poor decision making etc.

There are effective treatments for adjustment disorder including counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy which is a form of talk therapy. It enables you to replace negative thinking and behaviour with healthier thoughts and behaviour. Joining a support group may also assist. Medication may be used for symptoms like trouble sleeping or anxiety, but talk therapy is the main treatment.

A person with an adjustment disorder should also try to:

Exercise and eat a healthy diet.
Get regular hours of sleep.
Maintain a social life including support from friends and family
Find ways to reduce stress.
Give yourself more time to do the things you need to do.

"Healthy teens are better at identifying strategies to deal with barriers. KIDS WITH ABI'S CAN'T!"

Shari Wade; USA

"Participation in teen sports and normal activities leads to improved quality of life for children and young people post brain injury and helps to maximise outcomes"

Claire Willis; Australia

"We are medical practitioners. The real experts are the parents. Over the last 35 years they have taught me everything I know"

Lucia Braga; Brazil

"Often families don't have the financial capability to access services. We need to rethink how we deliver neuro-rehab services to children and young people"

Vicki Anderson; Australia

"Rehabilitation interventions can lead to positive outcomes for children and their families if delivered in the familiar home environment and applied to everyday situations"

Cerebra; United Kingdom

"More play increases brain plasticity and makes for better recovery post brain injury"

Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada

"Positive and coordinated neuro-rehab interventions for children and young people is proven to bring health improvements; improve independence; reduces the need for sheltered living; decreases vulnerability; decreases drop-out rates in schools; decreases youth offending"

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

"Taking brain injured children home causes high stress for families. Disjointed services exacerbate family stress levels."

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

"Strength-based family intervention after pediatric ABI is essential. Parents need to be equipped with the skills to cope and advocate for the child."

Caron Gan; Canada

"Too often children and young people with ABI are discharged from hospital without specialist brain support that they and their families need to overcome lifelong challenges"

Andrew Ross; former Chief Executive of the Children's Trust

OUR MISSION: To work to remove inequalities for children & young people affected by acquired brain injury; and provide effective support to their families that makes a real difference to their lives.