Children still have years of brain development ahead of them. Most young adults are not yet fully mature until their mid-20s because the brain has not finished growing and developing until then. Unfortunately, children and young adults could potentially incur traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) while they are young and vulnerable.
Technically, there is no cure for a TBI that causes moderate to severe neurological damage. Any permanent changes to the brain caused by a traumatic injury can cause lifelong functional limitations and symptoms. Parents who are trying to help a child who recently developed a TBI can offer support in the three important ways below.
Pursuing appropriate treatment
While there is no cure for a brain injury, there are ways to mitigate the impact an injury could have on someone’s future. For example, they could undergo rehabilitation support that could help them realize functions and overcome the limitations generated by their injuries. Children have higher levels of neuroplasticity when compared with adults. Essentially, it is easier for the brain to rewire itself and adjust to the limitations of an injury before the brain finishes developing. Committing to getting a child the best treatment possible even if it requires ongoing attendance at rehabilitation sessions can be an important move for parents who want to offer their child the best opportunities.
Address emotional challenges
Issues with emotional regulation, changes in personality and shifts in overall mood are common after a TBI. Children therefore require the support of not just medical professionals focused on their brains and bodies but also mental health professionals. Counselors, psychologists and other therapists can teach children the coping skills they need to overcome emotional dysregulation related to brain injuries. Children may also need help exploring their feelings overall when adjusting to life with an injury and the impact that could have on their plans for the future, educational prospects and social opportunities.
Maintaining a supportive and accessible home
Especially if a TBI causes physical challenges for a young adult or child, they may require modifications to their living space to make it safe and accessible. From moving them to a first-floor bedroom to minimize how often they take stairs to keeping a consistent schedule for the entire family to make life more predictable, there are numerous ways in which parents can cultivate a supportive and safe environment in the family home.
All of those forms of support cost money, so making an appropriate compensation claim, possibly even a civil lawsuit, may be key when helping a child thrive after they’ve sustained TBI due to another’s negligence. Helping a child overcome a traumatic brain injury could be a lifetime responsibility for parents. Those who understand how brain injuries can affect their children may be in a better position to help them adjust to life after their injury.
