Acquired Brain Injury Program

Novita’s Acquired Brain Injury team specialises in therapy services and family support for children and young people following major injury or illness associated with an acquired brain injury.

What is acquired brain injury?

An acquired brain injury is any brain injury that occurs after birth, often as a result of medical events such as brain tumour, or a trauma resulting from injuries such as a motor vehicle accident. Some mild injuries, such as some sporting injuries or minor falls, do not result in long term effects; others result in multiple disabilities that are experienced over a lifetime.

 

What are the causes of acquired brain injury?

There are many possible causes of brain injury, including:
traumatic head injury from motor vehicle accidents, sporting or other accidents
stroke, cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or haemorrhage
brain tumour or treatment for brain tumour
an incident that causes a lack of oxygen to the brain (for example, near-drowning)
infections such as meningitis or encephalitis
alcohol, drug abuse or poisoning.

 

What are the effects of an acquired brain injury?

A person with an acquired brain injury can experience problems with memory, social interaction, communication, learning, mobility, decision making or self care.
It takes time to tell how serious the brain injury is and what long term effects there may be. Rate of recovery and long term effects will vary for every child and young person and are largely dependent on the cause, the nature and the severity of the injury as well as the age at which the injury occurred.
It can be difficult to understand brain injury because its effects are so varied and not easy to describe.

 

What can Novita offer?

Novita specialises in coordinated services, that are outcome-focused, evidence-based, culturally sensitive and most importantly, based around the needs of children, their families and the wider community. The team can assist in the following ways:

  • assessment
  • therapy
  • support in the transition from Hospital to Home
  • support in the transition back to school
  • counselling
  • specialist medical clinics
  • equipment
  • acquatic therapy
  • education

 

Who would my child see?

This multidisciplinary team is made up of:

  • family service coordinators,
  • physiotherapists,
  • occupational therapists,
  • psychologists,
  • speech pathologists,
  • allied health assistants,
  • and medical rehabilitation specialists,

who work closely with staff from hospitals, preschools, schools and other service providers to ensure children and their families receive the best possible support.

 

Further information

If you would like information or free advice, speak to someone in our friendly team on 1300 NOVITA (1300 668 482) or visit our Contact Us page for more ways to get in touch.