What is an acquired brain injury (ABI)?

About acquired brain injury An acquired brain injury (ABI) is when the normal function of our brain is impaired. This impairment can be caused through an injury to the head or by having an illness that causes brain injury.

Brain injury can happen through road traffic accidents, assaults or falls, or by having an illness such as encephalitis, brain haemorrhages/strokes or a brain tumour. A brain injury can happen to any of us at any time .

How does acquired brain injury affect people?

The effects vary from one person to another, depending on the exact nature of the brain injury and its severity. They can include physical effects (movement, vision, touch or taste), cognitive effects (thinking processes such as memory and concentration) and behavioural effects (self-control, motivation etc).

ABI can cause:

  • poor memory and concentration
  • difficulty planning and problem solving
  • depression and emotional instability
  • significant problems with social interaction
  • problems with personal care and mobility

People with an acquired brain injury may:

  • require extensive, long term rehabilitation
  • never return to work
  • require support for the rest of their life

Did you know that:

  • 1 in 45 Australians has an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
  • three out every four people with an ABI are aged less than 65
  • one in every five strokes happens to a person aged less than 55
  • over 55% of ABIs are caused by traffic accidents
  • falls, assault, stroke and illness also contribute to ABIs
  • over 6700 young Australians, many with brain injuries are currently living in nursing homes

The treatment of brain injury occurs in a number of different stages and differs greatly from case to case due to differences in the severity and nature of the injury. We know that there are patterns of recovery from brain injury and a typical ‘recovery curve’ but the brain is very complicated so the recovery depends on the nature and severity of the injury.

The brain does have considerable ability to heal and we are learning more about this all the time, so it is never too late to achieve positive goals and make progress. People can continue to change and develop many years after their injury.

Families are really important and their love and support is a vital ingredient in the rehabilitation process. They have a great ability to motivate the person with a brain injury and encourage them to keep going and participate fully in their rehabilitation when times are hard. They can also provide vital information about what the person was like before, what they enjoyed doing or disliked. So, it is really important therefore for families and staff to work together.

For more information, please contact us.

Other sites of interest

Brainlink - is a state wide service that is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people affected by conditions of the brain and providing support to their families

VCASP - representing the views of the Victorian Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) sector in presenting the needs of people with ABI, and their carers, to all relevant policy and funding bodies

ARBIAS - provides specialist services in alcohol and other substance related brain impairment