Signs and Strategies for Educating Students with Brain Injuries

This manual gives a basic overview of the consequences that traumatiac brain injuries can have on a student's learning and behavior. It sorts out myths from facts, explains common changes at home and in school, and gives strategies for use at home and in the classroom. There are detailed worksheets to transfer information as the student moves from teacher to teacher, grade to grade, and school to school. This is a must have book for educators and families with any child or student who has had a traumatic brain injury.

Marilyn Lash, M.S.W., currently a partner of Lash and Associates Publishing/Training Inc., is committed to providing practical information in user friendly language that is based on clinical research and best practices in the field. Her involvement of parents and educators in the development of this manual reflects a philosophy that families and schools must strive to work together to become partners in their role as service providers. Families and educators are pivotal partners in the student's development, recovery and education following a student's brain injury. Ms Lash's work over more than 30 years in medical, rehabilitation, educational and vocational settings has reinforced her belief that bridges need to be built between systems in order to avoid the fragmentation and frustration that families so commonly experience. Trained as a social worker at Boston University School of Social Work, she has experience as a clinician, researcher, trainer and administrator. Author of over 45 publications, Ms. Lash speaks nationally on psychosocial and educational issues for youths with brain injuries and their families.

Gary Wolcott, M.Ed., is an experienced counselor, administrator and trainer who has long been an advocate for families of children with brain injuries.

He was instrumental in raising the national awareness of rehabilitation professionals and educators about the long-term cognitive effects of brain injuries in children and their impact on learning. He currently serves as Director of Education, Training and Staff Development at Goodwill Industries of Northern New England.

Sue Pearson, M.A., has worked as the state consultant for students with brain injuries for 12 years. Employed by the Iowa Department of Education, she worked with 15 brain injury resource teams across the state, creating communication networks with hospital and rehabilitation personnel, educational professionals and families. These networks continue to assist students with the transition from hospital based care to educational services in their local communities. The joint efforts of the Iowa Department of Education and the University of Iowa Center for Excellence on Disabilities serve as a model for other states to recognize and meet the special educational needs of students with brain injuries. educators, families and medical staff in Iowa and across the country. Currently, Ms Peason is employed by the University of Iowa as the Interdisciplinary Training Coordinator for the Iowa Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program.