Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) refers to an alteration in brain function caused by external force, such as a blow or jolt to the head. TBIs range from mild (concussion) to severe and can result in speech, language, cognitive, and swallowing impairments. TBI may present differently in children versus adults. Cognitive-communication disorders and motor speech disorders (e.g., dysarthria) are common consequences.
SLPs play a central role in evaluating and treating communication and cognitive deficits post-TBI. Issues may include word-finding problems, attention deficits, memory impairments, and executive dysfunction. Therapy is individualized and goal-directed, with functional communication as a primary target. Severity and recovery vary widely.
Turkstra, Lyn S., et al. “Cognitive-Communication Disorders in Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injury.” American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology 22, no. 1 (2013).
Duffy, Joseph R. Motor Speech Disorders: Substrates, Differential Diagnosis, and Management. 4th ed. Elsevier, 2020.
McAllister, Thomas W. “Neurobehavioral Sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluation and Management.” World Psychiatry 7, no. 1 (2008).
