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

"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

"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

"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

"Poor parenting styles affects children's behavior; increases their learning disability; and has a negative impact on emotions; anxiety; anger management post brain injury"

Andrea Palacio-Navarro; Spain

"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

"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

"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

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

Deborah Andrews; New Zealand

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

Shari Wade; USA

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.