🧠 Types of Acquired Brain Injury two main categories

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is damage to the brain that occurs after birth. It is broadly classified into two types:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Caused by an external force — falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults, or shaken baby syndrome.
• Non-Traumatic Brain Injury: Caused by internal factors — stroke, infection (meningitis, encephalitis), oxygen deprivation (anoxia/hypoxia), brain tumours, or metabolic disorders.

Both types can result in similar challenges, though the recovery trajectory may differ. Our centre specialises in rehabilitation for all forms of acquired brain injury.

⚕️ Symptoms & Causes what leads to ABI

Common causes of acquired brain injury include:

• Traumatic: Falls (especially in young children), road traffic accidents, sports concussions, physical abuse, and birth-related injuries.
• Non-Traumatic: Stroke (ischemic or haemorrhagic), infections (meningitis, encephalitis), brain tumours, hydrocephalus, metabolic disorders, and hypoxic-ischemic injury (near-drowning, cardiac arrest).

Symptoms depend on the severity and location of the injury. They may include:

• Physical: Headaches, seizures, weakness or paralysis, balance problems, fatigue, and sensory changes.
• Cognitive: Memory loss, attention difficulties, slowed processing, poor executive function, and impaired judgment.
• Behavioural/Emotional: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and reduced insight.
• Communication: Aphasia (difficulty speaking/understanding), dysarthria (slurred speech), and social communication challenges.

🔍 Signs & Red Flags when to seek immediate help

After any head injury or event that may cause brain damage, watch for these warning signs. Seek emergency care immediately if you notice:

• In infants/young children: Persistent crying, irritability, changes in feeding or sleeping, bulging soft spot, or seizures.
• In older children: Loss of consciousness, confusion, vomiting, severe headache, unequal pupil size, weakness on one side, slurred speech, or difficulty walking.
• Delayed signs: Ongoing memory problems, personality changes, difficulty concentrating, new seizure activity, or regression in developmental milestones.

Early detection and intervention are crucial — the brain has remarkable neuroplasticity, but timely treatment maximizes recovery potential.

🩺 Diagnosis & Assessment how ABI is identified

Diagnosis of an acquired brain injury typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation and medical imaging:

• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Used in emergency settings to assess level of consciousness.
• Neuroimaging: CT scan (for acute bleeding/fractures) and MRI (for detailed brain structure evaluation).
• Neurological examination: Assessing reflexes, motor function, coordination, and sensation.
• Neuropsychological assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of cognitive functions (memory, attention, language, executive function).
• Additional tests: EEG (if seizures suspected), blood tests, and lumbar puncture (for infections).

Early diagnosis allows for prompt intervention and rehabilitation planning.

🛠️ Rehabilitation & Treatment neuroplasticity-based care

At Gabriella Centre, we offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation for children with acquired brain injuries. Our approach focuses on harnessing the brain's ability to rewire and recover.

• Physiotherapy: To improve mobility, balance, strength, and coordination. Includes gait training and vestibular rehabilitation.
• Occupational Therapy: To rebuild daily living skills, fine motor function, and sensory processing.
• Speech & Language Therapy: To address communication, swallowing, and cognitive-linguistic deficits.
• Neuropsychological Support: Cognitive rehabilitation for memory, attention, and executive function. Emotional support for adjustment and mental health.
• Medical Management: Seizure control, spasticity management (Botox, baclofen), and pain management.
• Family Support & Education: We work closely with families to create a supportive home environment and empower caregivers.
• School Reintegration: Collaboration with schools to ensure appropriate educational support and accommodations.

Our approach: Individualised, goal-oriented, and family-centred — we help each child rebuild their life and reach their full potential.