Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Professional learning is offered to ensure that all schools in Arizona receive competent technical assistance in order to meet the needs of children who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. The Arizona Department of Education is not responsible for the websites linked to below, and these links do not imply ADE’s endorsement.

 

(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)

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.

For information about TBI training opportunities, please contact Dr. Sue Wolf or Christy Hegebush.

Arizona Governor's Council on Spinal and Head Injuries

Brain Injury Alliance of AZ

Brain Injury Association of America

United States Brain Injury Alliance

State Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR), Brain Injury Consultant, Kathleen Cady

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Website: Injury Prevention & Control
Free online training for coaches regarding concussions

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators

 

Traumatic Brain Injury Contact Information

Autism and Low Incidence Specialist

Christy Hegebush

(602) 542-3209

 

Page revised 5/13/22

From the Exceptional Student Services Blog

INTERNAL PD OPPORTUNITY: 2022–2023 Project EASEL Professional Learning Series: Exploring Strategies for Social Emotional Learning Mon, Aug 15 2022 Professional Learning and Sustainability, Updates

Special Education Administrators,

Project EASEL, in partnership with ADE, would like to invite you to tune into the Exploring Strategies for Social Emotional Learning fall and spring professional learning series. We plan to share a variety of information and strategies that will support your understanding and implementation of assertiveness, self-efficacy, and self-regulation. 

Registration is required for each session. Please view the this flyer with details of upcoming sessions and registration links. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m.
INTERNAL PD INFO: Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT) Fall Series Mon, Aug 15 2022 Updates, Assistive Technology Upcoming Events, Assistive Technology

Dear Educators and Therapists,

Are you overwhelmed by PD? Don’t have time for a 90-minute webinar? We got you! Please join the Arizona Department of Education/Exceptional Student Services/Assistive Technology Team for our fall series titled “Assistive Technology: Just One Thing (JOT).”

These fast, 30-minute sessions will showcase just one organizational or assistive technology tool or strategy that you can use in your classroom or teacher/therapist life. Are mornings or afternoons better for you? No worries; each JOT will be presented on Wednesdays at lunchtime and after school. Choose the time that works for you. The first sessions will take place on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, from 11:30 a.m.−12:00 p.m. and again from 3:00−3:30 p.m. The topic will be Get GO-ing with Graphic Organizers.