Memory

Physical Communication Cognitive Behavioural / Emotional

Memory is almost always affected by a brain injury. The brain may struggle to take in, store, process or find information. There are four types of memory which can be affected, either individually or in combination. The different types of memory are:

  1. Short-term memory – the ability to hold a small amount of information for about twenty seconds
  2. Long-term memory – the ability to hold and retrieve information for as little as a few days and as long as a few decades
  3. Retrograde memory – the ability to recall events that occurred prior to the injury
  4. Anterograde memory – the ability to recall events that occurred after the injury

Short term memory is more commonly affected by brain injury. Some people may be unable to remember faces or names, or what they have read, or what has been said to them. New learning may be affected, while previously learned skills may still be intact. This is because the damaged brain is now unable to organise and remember new material. Fatigue and sleep problems, poor health, medications, stress, and strong emotions can all acerbate ongoing memory problems.
Memory problems can be aided by using reminders, setting a routine, use of memory strategies, organisation, breaking information down, using daily planners or to do lists, taking notes and use of technology such as electronic organisers.


"Our 10 year study proves that family-led home-based neuro-rehab interventions deliver the best outcomes for children and young people"
Lucia Braga; Brazil
"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
"Parent-supported interventions after paediatric ABI bring reductions to the cost to society"
Eric Hermans; Netherlands
"Different 'experts' involved in paediatric neuro-rehabilitation come from different organisational cultures which causes conflict and has a negative effect on the outcomes for the child."
Barbara O'Connell; Ireland
"We would like to see earlier identification and support for children with brain injuries to help them succeed in school."
Dalton Leong; Chief Executive of the Children's Trust
Child 1 - Aged 14 and 3 years after a traumatic brain injury
2019 2020 Change
REASONING 301/800 426/800   +  125
MEMORY 181/800 304/800   +  123
ATTENTION 463/800 573/800   +  110
COORDINATION 47/800 309/800   +  262
PERCEPTION 158/800 374/800   +  216
"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
"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
"We need to harness the power of brain plasticity for treating children and young people with brain injury, especially at the key ages of 0-3 and at ages 10-16"
Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada
"When different organisations assess different aspects of a child's neuro-rehabilitation needs, everyone looks at things from a different perspective and have conflicting priorities"
Cathy Jonson; Rehab without Walls; United Kingdom.

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.

Council for Disabled Children Community Funded Charity Excellence Lottery Funded Youth Foundation BBC CiN