Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)

Physical	Communication	Cognitive	Behavioural / Emotional

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing food or liquids) is one of the most common health challenges following a TBI. The nerve centres controlling swallowing within the brain may be damaged, or the person with the condition may have cognitive problems and no longer understand what food is or how to eat and swallow food. Dysphagia may result in choking and aspirating (inhaling) food into the lungs which can result in pneumonia.

Treatments for dysphagia include:

speech and language therapy to learn new swallowing techniques
changing the consistency of food and liquids to make them safer to swallow
alternative forms of feeding, such as tube feeding through the nose or stomach

In time most patients who have suffered Traumatic Brain Injury can regain their swallowing reflex.

"With support parents cope better so the child has a better recovery"

Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain

"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

"NHS clinicians struggle with what intervention to prioritise in paediatric neuro-rehabilitation due to limited clinical time and the complexity of needs. Children, clinicians, parents and schools all have different neuro-rehabilitation priorities"

Recolo; United Kingdom

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

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

Shari Wade; USA

"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

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

Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada

"Pediatric neuro-rehabilitation cannot be delivered in isolation. The needs of the child have to be looked at both holistically and within the context of the family unit. Parents need to be empowered to be parents in post-acute pediatric neuro-rehabilitation following brain injury"

The Children's Trust; United Kingdom

"Children and young people have poor social competence post brain injury due to reduced cognition, executive functions, and emotional control. As a result they are twice as likely to have mental health issues in the future"

James Tonks; University of London

"Brain development is complex and prolonged. Brain plasticity is influenced by a range of factors. Plasticity provides a base for neuro-rehab therapies and treatment"

Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada

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.