Neuro-rehabilitation

What does neuro-rehabilitation do?

‘Rehabilitation aims to reduce the impact of (brain) injury by restoration of damaged function, or compensation for lost function, within the limitations of underlying disease, to optimise physical, cognitive, psychological and social function.’ (Seeley & Hutchinson, 2006)

What do we know?

In our experience better access to ongoing neuro-rehabilitation support associated with better outcomes means people:

are more likely to be discharged home
have a shorter hospital stay
have better functional outcome which was maintained after period of rehabilitation has ended *
decreases levels of distress of carers *

* This is is the main focus of our charitable work and where we add value to existing NHS provision.

Additionally, the outcome of a paediatric acquired brain injury is related to family function, economic factors and social support. Neuro-rehabilitation is therefore not just about physiotherapy, occupational therapy ,speech and language therapy etc. Children, young people and their families need lots of ongoing support during the neuro-rehabilitation journey; and for long after the usual therapy interventions have ended.

Neuro-rehabilitation is most effective if:

It is delivered by a coordinated multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary team with a restorative approach who have a sound understanding of acquired brain injury
There is assessment and goal setting
There is a key worker to communicate and provide advocacy for the child and the family
It is individually tailored to assessed need
Is seamless
It is meaningful and delivered in a relevant context
An appropriate level of therapy and support is provided
Access to suitable educational provision and appropriate support is available
Psychological well-being needs are addressed
It involves and supports the family

Sadly, this is not provided to the majority of brain injured children and young people.

Post discharge Support

It is in the community where these very vulnerable children are most at risk of not receiving the help and support they need, due to a lack of understanding of their hidden disabilities. Working in partnership with parents and professionals, we coordinate the ongoing needs of brain injured children and young people across a range of community organisations; ensuring their ongoing and often changing needs continue to be met. Without us, this does not happen and the needs of this vulnerable cohort often go unrecognised and unsupported.

"Different 'experts' involved in pediatric 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

"When someone has a brain injury, early access to local, specialist rehabilitation is crucial to ensure the maximum recovery and make significant savings to the state in health costs"

Headway; United Kingdom

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

Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada

"Intensive and individualized approaches work. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't. You have to make it relevant to the child."

Recolo; United Kingdom

"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

"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

"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

"New parenting support intervention showed how parenting style is related to executive dysfunction in children and young people post brain injury. With support parents cope better so the child has a better recovery"

Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain

"Case management for children and young people post acquired brain injury is 'pivotal' to successful outcomes and must be local"

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

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

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

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.