Definition: A child with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a child with an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, which impairment adversely affects the child’s ability to receive reasonable educational benefit from general education. A qualifying Traumatic Brain Injury is an open or closed head injury resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term “traumatic brain injury” under this rule does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.
Brain Injury in Children and Youth: A Manual for Educators (2013) (PDF)
BrainSTEPS consulting teams support school teams in the development and implementation of educational plans following acquired brain injury.
Professional Development Opportunities
Join BrainSTEPS CO!
Colorado's BrainSTEPS CO is accepting NEW TEAMS and NEW TEAM MEMBERS. To participate in this nationally recognized professional development opportunity:
- Districts/BOCES identify a team of 4-6* or more professionals who are interested and have the flexibility to serve as BrainSTEPS CO team members (BrainSTEPS CO Best Practices). *4-6 person teams are recommended. Exceptions may be made based on district/BOCES needs.
- Each BrainSTEPS CO team member submits a BrainSTEPS CO application by 10/20/17.
- Those accepted to the BrainSTEPS CO program attend the full two-day new team member training (November 29-30, 2017).
- District/BOCES identify one person who will oversee their BrainSTEPS CO team as the team leader (this person must be identified on the application packet prior to the training.)
- All BrainSTEPS CO team members must also attend the follow up capacity building training (Spring 2018).
Online Learning Opportunities
Challenging Behavior and Executive Function (for students with brain injury and other neurologically impacted disabilities) (Video Modules - 9 parts)
NOTE: This was a full day training and is intended to be watched in its entirety. These are not stand alone.
Want to Learn more about brain injury? View this Brain Injury 101 video (3 minutes)
Brain Injury: Special Education Criteria and Social Emotional Intervention
Educator Brain Injury Trainings
Eligibility and School-Based Inter-Disciplinary Assessment and Intervention: A Common Sense Approach (Video Modules - 4 parts)
Related Links
- Case Management Services
Do you know someone with a brain injury who needs support? Refer them to the Brain Injury Alliance of CO for services - Colorado Kids with Brain Injury
- IEP forms
- CDE Health and Wellness
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
Join the Brain Injury Listserv
To subscribe to the brain injury listserv:
- Open a new email.
- In the “To” field, type the email address TBI-join@web.cde.state.co.us and send the message.
- You will receive a confirmation email. You will not be added until you respond to this email.
- If you have a problem, try using “plain” text or check with the technology people in your district.
To unsubscribe from the Brain Injury listserv:
- Open a new email.
- In the “To” field, type the email address lyris@web.cde.state.co.us and send the message.
- In the body of the message write, “unsubscribe TBI.”
- You will automatically be unsubscribed.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Hotchkiss
Phone: 303-866-6739
