Traumatic Brain Injury for VR Counselors
Margaret A. Struchen, Ph.D.
Research Scientist, Brain Injury Research Center
TIRR Memorial Hermann
Assistant Professor, Dept. of PM&R
Baylor College of Medicine
Laura M. Ritter, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Brain Injury Research Center
TIRR Memorial Hermann
Introduction
This educational resource is designed to assist the vocational rehabilitation counselor in gaining familiarity with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can be used as a reference to assist the counselor in working with clients with TBI. The material is designed to provide a good overview of TBI and of issues you, the VR counselor, may encounter in working with clients with TBI, as well as to provide practical information that may assist you in your day-to-day assessment and intervention with clients.
Three modules are available for self-study and each module contains various training segments. The organization of this material is designed to assist the VR counselor in accessing reference information quickly and easily when working with actual clients. The contents of each training module are listed, so that you may click to enter the section of information with which you have interest. The content covered by this educational website was generated based on interests identified by a focus group of VR counselors facilitated by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, State of Texas. These modules are available for self-study at no cost. You may also earn continuing education credits for completion of the modules. Please see the section on Continuing Education for further information on CEU credits.
Training Modules
Module 1: General Knowledge about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)(2 CEUs)
In this module, general information about traumatic brain injury will be presented, including: defining the disorder, describing the pathology and pathophysiology of TBI, clarifying issues related to severity of injury, and providing information about epidemiology. In addition, commonly used medical terms and outcomes scales will be presented to assist the vocational rehabilitation counselor in increasing his or her comfort level and ability to communicate with rehabilitation treatment team members. Finally, the module will present information about the typical course of recovery, distinguishing how that course may differ depending on injury severity and other variables.
- Segment 1a: Basic Definition of TBI and Epidemiology
- Segment 1b: Understanding Medical Terminology
- Segment 1c: Understanding the Course of Recovery and Outcomes after TBI
Module 2: Knowledge about Common Sequelae of Traumatic Brain Injury and Strategies to Address Physical, Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Changes (2 CEUs)
The following sections will list potential areas of difficulty that persons may experience after a TBI. While this list is not exhaustive, it does detail the more common areas of difficulty that individuals may face. For each of the sequelae listed, there is an indication of whether the particular symptom is commonly seen following mild, moderate, and severe TBI, or is seen primarily in those with moderate to severe TBI. While we have listed the problems that are typically experienced with varying degrees of injury severity, it is certainly possible that someone with a milder injury may experience symptoms listed as more common for those with moderate to severe injury.
It is important to note that every brain injury is different. The consequences that people typically experience may differ depending on the severity of the injury, the location of the injury (what part of the brain was injured), the mechanism of the injury (high velocity vs. low velocity injury), and other factors.
- Segment 2a: Somatosensory Changes that May Occur Following TBI, Impact on Vocational Issues, and Strategies to Address these Changes
- Segment 2b: Motor Changes that May Occur Following TBI, Impact on Vocational Issues, and Strategies to Address these Changes
- Segment 2c: Cognitive Changes that May Occur Following TBI, Impact on Vocational Issues, and Strategies to Address these Changes
- Segment 2d: Emotional/Behavioral Changes that May Occur Following TBI, Impact on Vocational Issues, and Strategies to Address these Changes
- Segment 2e: Ways to Adapt the VR Counselor’s Practice to Maximize the Service Experience of Clients with TBI
Module 3: Knowledge of Service Providers/ Resources (2 CEUs)
In this module, general knowledge about the professions of members of the interdisciplinary brain injury rehabilitation treatment team is presented along with some tips to assist the counselor in understanding and maximizing the utility of clinical evaluations that such professionals may provide. In addition, this module presents information about the types of clinical settings in which clients may receive brain injury rehabilitation services, as well as types of resources available in the local community and nationally. Finally, a description of assistive devices and technology that may be used to facilitate functioning for clients with TBI is presented.
- Segment 3a: Understanding Roles of Members of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team and the Utility of Evaluations Conducted by Such Team Members
- Segment 3b: Broad Knowledge of Treatment Settings and Resources for Persons with TBI and their Families during Different Phases of Service Requirements
- Segment 3c: Technology and Assistive Devices that May Facilitate Functioning in the Workplace for Persons with TBI
Evaluation
Your feedback is very important to us. Please complete the online evaluation. If you wish to earn continuing education credits, you must complete the online evaluation form. For all users of this site, once you submit the online evaluation, you will be directed to a page where you can register and pay for the continuing education credits. You may navigate away from this shopping cart page if you do not wish to earn continuing education credits.
Continuing Education
Beginning January 15, 2010, use of this material as a self-study may also serve as a source of continuing education credits (CEUs) for the individual counselor. You can select to complete each educational module for continuing education credits (CEUs). Two CEUs will be awarded per module and you may earn up to 6 CEUs for completion of all three training modules. You may work at your own pace and take the exam for one, two or all three modules at any time prior to December 31, 2010.
To participate in the CEU program:
- You will need to complete the online evaluation form for the manual. After completion, you will be directed to the online shopping cart.
- Use the shopping cart to register and pay the one-time registration fee of $65.
- Watch your email for your receipt. You will need the order number from your receipt to log-in to the testing site http://ilru.deliver.courseavenue.com. Note: It may take up to 48 hours for us to set-up your user profile.
- To log-in as a user at the ILRU testing site, use your Last Name as entered on the registration as your log-in name and your order number from your receipt as your password.
- Choose the exam for Module 1, 2 or 3 and answer the questions.
- You will need to obtain a score of 90% correct in order to obtain credit for a module.
- Print the certificate of completion from your computer for your records and watch your mail or email for your official CRC CEU certificate. It should arrive within 30 days.
For questions or concerns, contact Marj Elhardt by email or telephone at 713-520-0232 x128.
Acknowledgements
Development of this online training system was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education (Grant #: H133B031117 - Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Integration of Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury) to TIRR Memorial Hermann. Input for the content of this training system was obtained in collaboration with Les Young, of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, State of Texas.
