Traumatic Brain Injury Facts: Children and Youth
http://www.tbitac.nashia.org/tbics/download/children.pdf
This fact sheet provides the medical and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act definitions for traumatic brain injury (TBI); describes the causes and consequences of TBI for children and youth; and describes the educational supports available for students with TBI and their families.

Project B.R.A.I.N.

What is Project B.R.A.I.N.?

The Tennessee Disability Coalition and the TBI Program established a partnership in July of 2000 with a shared goal of improving educational outcomes for students in Tennessee with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBI, as defined by the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), is an acquired brain injury caused by an external physical force, resulting in a functional disability that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. With funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau and Tennessee’s TBI program, Project BRAIN was developed to address the issues around identifying and supporting these students in school.

Project BRAIN objectives include:

• Increasing awareness of children and youth with brain injury who are served by the school system.
• Providing training and technical assistance to schools, families, and health care providers in the early identification of children with TBI.
• Supporting “BRAIN Resource Teams” within selected school systems that will consult locally on issues of developing supports for Tennessee students with brain injuries.
• Partnering with Tennessee hospitals to promote effective communication between healthcare providers and educators to facilitate successful transitions.

How a child is performing in school can be an indicator that a brain injury may have taken place. When unrecognized, many brain injured children are misclassified and do not get the special attention they need to succeed. This interview centers on assessment and explores the differences between brain injury and learning disabilities.

Properly wearing a helmet when cycling is your best means of protection against injury.
According to recent research, helmets provide a 63 to 88% reduction in the risk of
head, brain, and severe brain injury for all ages

Helmet guidelines*

• Wear a helmet: Always wear a helmet while riding a bike, no matter how short the trip. After a crash or any impact that affects your helmet, replace it immediately Always wear a properly fitting helmet: A helmet will not protect you if it does not fit properly. Make sure that the helmet fits on top of the head, not tipped back.
• Shell and pads: Find the smallest helmet shell size that fits over your head. Helmet pads should not be used to make a helmet that is too big fit your head. Leave about two-fingers width between your eyebrows and the front of the helmet.
• Straps: The straps should be joined just under each ear at the jawbone. The buckle should be snug with your mouth completely open. Periodically check your strap adjustment; improper fit can render a helmet useless.
• Ventilation: In general, the more vents the better; improper ventilation can cause overheating. Helmets with good ventilation can actually be cooler than riding with no helmet at all.
• Colors: Helmets come in all different colors in different models; buy a highly visible color. Shell color does not affect the temperature; a black shell will not be hotter in the sun. Pick a color that you will wear.
  *http://www.bicyclinginfo.org

  Child Safety Laws and Regulations for the State of Tennessee

  •State Bike Helmet Law Effective Date: 01/01/1994
  •Law Mandate: Under 16 required to wear a helmet.
  •Regulating Agency: No provision
  •Enforcement all offenses: maximum $2 fine plus court costs*
  *Penalty may be waived if violator provided proof of purchase of a bike helmet within a specified period of time.

More information about Helmet safety at http://www.helmets.org

A National Study of TBI and Wheel Related Sports
(http://www.usa.safekids.org/content_documents/ACF160.pdf)