Welcome to the Introduction to Traumatic Brain Injury Module!
In Module 1, participants will be provided with introductory information including what a TBI is, potential long-term outcomes and compensatory strategies. Cultural competence and the impact of TBI on families will also be discussed.
Module 1 Objectives
After completing this module, you will have acquired knowledge about:
- What a TBI is and how the brain is affected by different types of injuries
- The significance of TBI in the USA and Massachusetts
- The potential long term impacts TBI has on the individual and family
- How to interact effectively with individuals living with TBI
- How to recognize issues that may arise due to TBI and strategies for working with individuals
- Common physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments and interaction strategies
About the Author
This course has modified the original content developed by MPHI to serve the needs of older adults. Content has been enhanced by Dr. Brie Insalaco and Dr. Kathleen Shahrokhi, Clinical Neuropsychologists with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission-Community Based Services Division. Drs. Insalaco and Shahrokhi provide training and clinical consultation to the Statewide Head Injury Program and the Waiver/MFP Programs. Dr. Insalaco obtained her doctoral degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University and subsequently completed her internship and postdoctoral fellowship through the VA Boston Heathcare System/Harvard Medical School, specializing in both geriatric neuropsychology and polytrauma services including TBI and PTSD. Specialty areas include sports-related concussions, acquired brain injuries, veterans with blast-related traumatic brain injuries and dual diagnosis populations. As a consultant for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Dr. Insalaco provides training to both state agencies and the public on brain injury and related topics. Dr. Shahrokhi is a senior level clinician with over 30 years of experience in the field of neuropsychology. She has been a consultant to the Massachusetts Statewide Head Injury program for 20 years providing clinical consultation to Program Coordinators whose consumers reside independently in the community. In the past she has participated in a grant focusing on outreach to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans who may have sustained a TBI while in the military. Dr. Shahrokhi has also worked in a Boston rehabilitation hospital seeing a broad spectrum of patients including TBI, stroke, dementia and dual diagnoses. She has presented at national and international conferences on TBI in the elderly and behavioral manifestations of dementia.