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?
From adult studies of traumatic brain injury:
Better access to neuro-rehabilitation 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 team with an interdisciplinary approach

There is goal setting and assessment

There is a key worker to communicate and provide advocacy for the child and the family

It is individually tailored to need

Is seamless

It is meaningful and delivered in relevant context

An appropriate level of therapy and support is provided

Access to suitable educational provision is available

Psychological needs are addressed

It involves and supports the family

Post discharge is 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.

"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

"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

"Thousands of children and young people living in the UK today without the help and support that can make a huge difference to their lives"

Dalton Leong; Chief Executive of the Children's Trust

"Families and professionals spend time focusing on the negative aspects of ABI. Families need to be properly supported as 'resilience' is key to delivering successful outcomes for children and young people."

Roberta De Pompeii; USA

"Restoration of anatomical functions and relationships must be done within 2 months of brain injury"

Eyzyon Eisentein; Israel

"There are problems with getting people into neuro-rehab centres. Those most in need are often those most excluded due to a lack of socio-economic resources."

Vicki Anderson; Australia

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

Vicki Anderson; Australia

"Parent-supported interventions following pediatric ABI bring reductions to the cost to society"

Eric Hermans; Netherlands

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

Professor Bryan Kolb; Canada

"NHS clinicians struggle with what intervention to priorities in pediatric 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

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