Acquired Brain Injury
An Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) happens when the brain is damaged sometime after birth. The damage is not from a congenital disorder or from a degenerative disease. An acquired brain injury may result from trauma e.g. physical trauma due to accidents, falls assaults, etc. or a non-traumatic injury from an inside or outside source such as a stroke, brain tumour, infection, poisoning, hypoxia, ischemia, encephalopathy or substance use.
An acquired brain injury may affect cognitive (thinking), physical, emotional, social or independent functioning.
Information for Caregivers:
Alberta Brain Injury Initiative Survival Guide, 2011, Government of Alberta – the Guide is available in pdf format, chapter by chapter.
The Family Resource Guide, 2010, Toronto Acquired Brain Injury Network - provides information the reader with information about acquired brain injury, the effects of living with a brain injury on the affected individual and their family.
The Survival Guide - Living with Acquired Brain Injury in the Community, 2000, Saskatoon District Health - has been written to provide information and support to families of persons who have had a moderate to severe brain injury. The guide is available in pdf format that may be read online or downloaded for future use.