BrainSTEPS/Low Incidence

Each year, approximately 4,000 of Pennsylvania’s children survive severe traumatic brain injuries significant enough to require hospitalization. In addition, over 22,000 children and youth sustain concussions which are mild traumatic brain injuries. Many are left with life-altering difficulties in physical, cognitive, or behavioral functioning.

BrainSTEPS is working to make sure that the individuals who provide educational support to children with acquired brain injuries have an understanding of brain injury, the resulting challenges, and the supports and interventions that will help these students achieve educational success through graduation.

BrainSTEPS Consulting Teams are comprised of professionals from varying disciplines who have received extensive training on educating children with brain injuries. When a child who attends a Pennsylvania school has experienced educational effects following a brain injury, a BrainSTEPS team from the child’s county of residence will act as consultants to coordinate services and provide training and resources to educators and families.

BrainSTEPS consultants assist students with acquired brain injuries (ABI). Acquired brain injuries are brain injuries that occur after birth and include traumatic brain injuries (brain injuries caused by external physical force) and non-traumatic brain injuries (brain injuries caused by internal forces) such as stroke, seizure disorder, brain tumor, aneurysm, etc. Concussions are traumatic brain injuries.

BrainSTEPS activities include:

Review of medical, rehabilitation and school records.
Collaboration with parents, BrainSTEPS consultants, school staff, and treating medical and/or rehabilitation professionals for the purpose of developing an appropriate academic plan.
Ongoing monitoring and consultation with student, parent, and school until graduation.
Education of students, parents, and school staff through inservice trainings and/or individual consultation.