Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury

The Brain Injury Association of America says an acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma – it is a brain injury that has occurred after birth. There are two types of acquired brain injury: non-traumatic (often called acquired) and traumatic.

A non-traumatic brain injury, often called acquired brain injury, causes damage to the brain by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, or pressure from a tumor.

According to the CDC, a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works. It may be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating injury.

TBI affects children differently than adults. An injury of any severity to the developing brain may:

• Disrupt a child’s development

• Limit their ability to participate in school and other activities, like sports

A TBI can cause children to experience changes in their health, thinking, and behavior that affect learning, self-regulation, and social participation.

Early Intervention and Treatment

All TBIs require immediate assessment by a professional who has experience evaluating head injuries. 

Many factors—including the brain injury’s size, severity, and location—influence how it is treated and how quickly a person might recover. The NIH outlines treatments based on various factors and the severity of the injury.