03/16/07
Brockton, Mass. — The leading cause of disability and death among America’s youth, traumatic brain injury affects more than one million children per year. According to the National Pediatric Trauma Registry, approximately one-third of all pediatric injury cases are related to brain injury.
“Unfortunately, many children and adolescents incur brain injuries that are highly preventable with the use of equipment protection and proper safety measures,” says Gary Pace, Ph.D., clinical director for the May Institute’s pediatric brain injury center. “Minimizing risk through prevention is the only cure for brain injury; however, through immediate diagnosis and prompt treatment of a brain injury we’ve seen children make incredible strides in regaining skills following a trauma.”
Traumatic brain injury, an insult to the brain caused by an external force, is most frequently the result of motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, falls, sporting accidents, or violence. Children and adolescents with brain injury often experience memory loss, organizational difficulties, behavioral disinhibition, physical impairment, speech and other communication problems. The May Institute urges families to take measures for safety, including wearing helmets, using seatbelts, and caution during water and sporting activities.
The following are safety tips for prevention of traumatic brain injury:
Helmets
Water Safety
Automobile Safety
The May Center for Education and Neurorehabilitation in Brockton, Massachusetts is one of the few schools in the country to exclusively serve students with brain injury. Based on a strong belief that progress is possible for every student, the May Center has helped hundreds of children and adolescents with brain injury return to their families, public schools, and communities. Featured in the book, “In Search of America’s Best Nonprofits” (Jossey-Bass, 1997), May Institute is an award-winning national network that serves over 25,000 individuals and their families at nearly 200 service locations in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, and on the West Coast.
For more information, contact May Institute at 800-778-7601 or info@mayinstitute.org.