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Traumatic Brain Injury

Definition:

(a) Means an acquired injury to the brain that is caused by an external physical force and that results in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects educational performance.
(b) Applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in mild, moderate, or severe impairments in one or more areas, including cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem solving, sensory, perceptual and motor abilities, psychosocial behavior, physical function, information processing, and speech.
(c) Does not include brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative or brain injuries induced by birth trauma. (A.R.S. § 15-761)

Mission:

To ensure any school in Arizona is able to receive competent technical assistance related to TBI in order to meet the needs of children who have sustained traumatic brain injuries.

Eligibility Criteria

The determination of eligibility for special education is based on an evaluation pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-766 and the following requirements:

  • The student has an acquired open or closed injury to the brain that was caused by an external physical force that has resulted in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects performance in the educational environment. Resulting impairments include such areas of disability as cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, behaviors, physical function, information processing, and speech.
    • The injury is not congenital or degenerative or induced by birth trauma.
    • The injury has been verified by a doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy.
    • The student was evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disability.

TBI Determination of Eligibility Form

Program Description
The Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services contracts with a training consultant to provide training services to Arizona educators, parents, and interested community members in the basics of working with students with traumatic brain injuries in school and community settings. There are approximately 21 free training sessions per year, geared to all levels of learners.

Training goals include:

  • Educate local professionals (educators and related service personnel) on the core issues related to TBI
  • Increase awareness of the need to identify students with TBI currently in the schools
  • Increase capacity of professionals to assess, accurately determine eligibility, and provide appropriate services to students with TBI
  • Increase ability to effectively participate in MET meetings and analyze assessment data to appropriately plan for services and accommodations
  • Expand knowledge about existing resources

Training Information

Training sessions are held between September and May each year to honor the schedules of education professionals and related service personnel in the field. Both weekday and Saturday training dates are offered. Available sessions include:

  • TBI 101: Can’t You See Me? Introduction to Traumatic Brain Injury
  • TBI 202: Assets, Assessment, and Analysis of Behavior after Traumatic Brain Injury
  • TBI 303: Contemporary Issues in Serving Students with Traumatic Brain Injury

Trainings are provided by Dr. Susan Wolf, Executive Director of Wattle and Daub Research. For a training schedule or registration information, contact Jeannette Zemeida via email or by telephone at 602-542-3855.

Brain Injury Resources