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What is a brain injury?

Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by an external force such as hitting your head during a fall or car crash, from a collision with an object or another person during activities such as participating in sports or when assaulted. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury. An injury to the brain that are not caused by an external force are considered a non-traumatic brain injury. Non-traumatic brain injuries can result from an illness, lack of oxygen, or stroke.

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Screening for brain injury

Brain injuries are often a multi-occurring condition with mental health, substance abuse, criminal or juvenile justice involvement, and homelessness. Screening for brain injury is a best practice when providing treatment or supports for individuals seen in health, community or corrections services.

Screening for brain injury is a way to identify whether an individual has experienced events that puts them at risk for challenges associated with brain injury. By screening and assessing for common symptoms associated with brain injury, professionals can then identify and implement the right accommodations and recommend certain services to better support that individual. 

  • If you are an individual who suspects you have had a brain injury, you may contact the Brain Injury Association of Iowa for assistance or call 855-444-6443 to be screened for a lifetime history of brain injury and receive services and support.
  • If you are a provider, you may obtain access to Iowa's evidence-based screening tools by emailing your name/agency to brain.injury@hhs.iowa.gov. The screening tools are free and there are instructions on how to complete and score the screening tools.

What does it mean when an individual "screens positive"?

Screening "positive" means there has been an event or several events that could result in a brain injury. A positive screening does not provide a brain injury diagnosis. Instead, it is a way to assess risk for having challenges related to brain injury. 

Brain injury screening tools do NOT provide a diagnosis or indicate an absence of a brain injury. They are, however, valid for a brief assessment for a person's exposure to brain injury. 

What are the next steps after a positive screening?

  • Following a positive screening, we recommend completing symptom questionnaire to determine whether the individual is experiencing any challenges commonly associated with brain injury, such as difficulty with memory and organization.
  • To learn more about how brain injury may be impacting the individual, the Mayo Portland Adaptability Inventory 4 can be used to identify functional limitations they may be experiencing.
  • The individual may choose to see a medical professional to confirm a brain injury diagnosis. 

Individuals who need assistance with completing brain injury screening or assessments, or who have been identified as having a positive screening with symptoms, should be referred to the Brain Injury Association of Iowa. They have a free service called Brain Injury Resource Facilitation, which provides information and support.

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Brain Injury Resources

Want to learn about how to accommodate symptoms of brain injury?

Accommodating TBI Booklet (PDF)
PDF from the Ohio Valley Center for Brain Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation with contributions from the Minnesota Department of Human Services State Operated Services

Accommodation Tip Sheets (for individuals, family and friends)
Evidence-Based Tip Sheets to Support Individuals With Accommodations Following Brain Injury from the Brain Injury Association

Accommodation Tip Sheets (for care professionals)
Evidence-Based Tip Sheets for Professionals to Support Individuals With Accommodations Following Brain Injury from the Brain Injury Association

Do you know how to support individuals with brain injury?

Brain Injury Program (Iowa HHS) 
Learn more about how to help develop capacity to work with people who experience brain injury

What should you know about COVID-19 and brain injury?

Brain Injury Association Iowa resources
List of national, state, and local resources about COVID-19

Looking for a support group?

Brain Injury Association Iowa list of support groups
Calendar of BIAIA events and list of area support groups

Looking for more on brain injury and multi-occurring conditions?

Brain Injury and Child Welfare

Brain Injury & Parenting PDF
PDF that explains why brain injury screenings are necessary for parents involved in the child welfare system

Brain Injury and Children

Children's Behavioral Health & Brain Injury PDF
PDF from the Brain Injury Association Iowa about the relationship between children's behavior and brain injury

Brain Injury and Criminal/Juvenile Justice

NASHIA website with resources
Website of information on criminal juvenile justice and brain injury from NASHIA.Brain Biology and Gambling

Brain Injury and Gambling 

Brain Biology and Gambling Disorder 
PDF from 1-800-BETS-OFF discussing gambling disorder and the biology of the brain

Brain Biology and Gambling Disorder (print-ready file) 
PDF from 1-800-BETS-OFF discussing gambling disorder and the biology of the brain; formatted for professional printing

Brain Biology and Gambling Disorder (Spanish)
PDF from 1-800-BETS-OFF discussing gambling disorder and the biology of the brain; Spanish language brochure

Brain Biology and Gambling Disorder (Spanish print-ready file)
PDF from 1-800-BETS-OFF discussing gambling disorder and the biology of the brain; Spanish language brochure for professional printing

Brain Injury and Homelessness

Homelessness & Brain Injury PDF
PDF that explains the underrecognized relationship between brain injury and homelessness

Brain Injury and Intimate Partner Violence

Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury: Promising Practices for Domestic Violence Programs (PDF)
An overview of brain injury caused by violence from The Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury

Brain Injury and Mental Health

Brain Injury and Mental Health resources
Resources from the Brain Injury Association Iowa on the intersection between mental health and brain injury

Brain Injury and Refugees

Refugee Population & Brain Injury (PDF)
PDF from the Brain Injury Association Iowa on the underrecognized relationship between refugee populations and brain injury Brain Injury and Substance Abuse

Intersection of Brain Injury and Substance Use Disorder Tool Kit (PDF)
PDF that explains the underrecognized relationship between brain injury and homelessness

Brain Injury and Substance Use resources
List of tools and resource guides to assist on brain injury and substance use disorder prepared by the Brain Injury Association Iowa

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