About Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and IEP Accommodations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) results from an external physical force to the head and can affect cognition, memory, attention, language, behavior, and physical functioning. The impact varies widely depending on the location and severity of the injury, and a student's needs may change significantly over time as they recover.

Accommodations for TBI often span multiple categories: extended time, reduced workload, frequent breaks, memory aids, written instructions, a quiet testing space, and flexible scheduling to account for fatigue. Students recovering from TBI may need temporary accommodations that are gradually reduced as they recover, or permanent supports for lasting effects.

Because TBI can change over time, the IEP should be reviewed more frequently than the standard annual review. Request progress monitoring and be prepared to adjust accommodations as your child's abilities improve or as new challenges emerge. What your child needs three months after the injury may be very different from what they need a year later.