Traumatic Brain Injury – A Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”) is an injury from the brain being damaged as a result of an accident, a fall or a sports related injury to the head. Many people who have a Traumatic Brain Injury experience physical and cognitive changes, communication difficulties, swallowing problems and other difficulties.

SYMPTOMS

• Weakness on one side of the body or both sides of the body
• Impaired sensation on one side of the body or both sides of the body
• Impaired muscle tone on one side of the body or both sides of the body
• Visual difficulties
• Impaired visual perception
• Poor  sitting and/or standing balance
• Difficulties transitioning to various positions
• Decline in cognitive and emotional functioning
• Inability to walk
• Inability to care for themselves i.e. dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming etc.
•  Urinary and or bowel incontinence
• Decrease in community participation
• An individual may experience cognitive changes depending on the type of TBI and the areas affected, the following areas of cognition may become impaired:
  • problem solving / reasoning
  • memory
  • attention
  • executive functioning
  • orientation
  • mood
  • personality changes

HOW WE CAN HELP

• At Q Enrichment Center, our Occupational Therapist will conduct an extensive, comprehensive assessment to determine the type of difficulty, the severity, as well as the impact on Activities of Daily Living (“ADL”). A detailed report will be completed, along with a treatment plan specific to each individual’s needs.
• Intervention can focus on:
  • finding alternative methods / compensatory strategies to perform activities of daily living (e.g. bathing, dressing, using the toileting)
  • addressing deficits such as weakness, sensory loss, and cognitive or visual impairments that limit engagement in ADLs and Instrumental ADLs (“IADLS”) (IADLS: carrying groceries, cooking a meal, managing money, parenting)
  • provide cognitive retraining exercises to address specific cognitive skills, such as attention, memory and executive functioning
  • assessing the home and work environment to identify potential hazards and to create a more functional environment specific to the clients’ needs
  • recommending special equipment or assistive devices / technology for use at home, school or work
  • teaching the client and caregiver how to properly use adaptive equipment, like orthotics, braces, or wheelchairs
  • recommending exercises to strengthen fine motor skills, coordination and cognition
  • teaching the client and/or caregiver on exercises and home programmes for carryover in the home.
  • educating the client and caregiver on energy effectiveness strategies and stress management techniques to promote well being
  • environmental and behavioural modifications (home and job-site)
  • home modifications may include accessible designs for all rooms in one’s house, ramps, wheelchair lifts or elevators and stair lifts
  • positioning to maintain range of motion, prevent contractures and minimize pain (e.g. splinting)

Other Adult Occupational Services

Speech Therapy For Adults