Representing Mentally Ill and Intellectually Disabled Clients in QLD

1.4 - Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired Brain Injury

The terms acquired brain injury (ABI), head injury, or acquired brain damage (ABD) are used to describe all types of brain damage which occur after birth.

Acquired brain injury is not to be confused with intellectual disability. People with a brain injury may have difficulty controlling, coordinating and communicating their thoughts and actions but they usually retain their intellectual abilities.

Brain injury has dramatically varied effects and no two people can expect the same outcome or resulting difficulties. The brain controls every part of our being: physically, intellectually and emotionally. When the brain is damaged, some other part of ourselves will also be adversely affected. Even a mild injury can result in a serious disability that will interfere with a person's daily functioning and personal activities for the rest of their life. While the outcome of the injury depends largely on the nature and severity of the injury itself, appropriate treatment will play a vital role in determining the level of recovery.

Traumatic Brain Injury


Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acquired brain injury caused by a blow to the head or by the head being forced to move rapidly forward or backward, usually with some loss of consciousness. This may be the result of a motor vehicle accident, fall, assault, sporting accident, gunshot wound or violent shaking. As a result of this blow or rapid movement, the brain may be torn, stretched, penetrated, bruised or become swollen. Oxygen may not be able to get through to brain cells and there may be bleeding.

The impact on the individual

There is very little understanding or knowledge in the community about brain injury and the impact it has on individuals. Long term effects are difficult to predict and will be different for each person. However generally many people will experience increased fatigue, difficulty with short-term memory and impaired concentration and retention skills.
There are five areas in which people with ABI may experience long term changes:

  • Medical difficulties
  • Changes in physical and sensory abilities
  • Changes in the ability to think and learn (cognition
  • Changes in behaviour and personality (psychological)
  • Communication difficulties.

The extent of some of these changes, such as being more impulsive or getting lost easily, may only become apparent as time progresses.

Reference: http://braininjury.org.au/portal/services/about-brain-injury.html