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.
Back to topScreening 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.
The Online Brain Injury Screening and Support System (OBISSS) is a tool you can use online to check if you’ve had any brain injuries during your life. It also helps identify any related challenges you may be experiencing, for both youth and adults.
OBISSS uses a trusted method from Ohio State University to ask questions and collect information. You can take the screening by yourself or get help from someone at an agency.
If your screening shows signs of a brain injury, you’ll be asked to fill out another short questionnaire about your symptoms.
After that, you’ll get helpful tip sheets by email based on your answers. If your results suggest a brain injury, you’ll also receive information on how to contact the Brain Injury Association of Iowa for more support and resources.
- You may obtain access to Iowa’s evidence-based screening tools by emailing your name, agency (if applicable) to brain.injury@hhs.iowa.gov
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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