Definition: Head injuries are not visible and are very complex. They result from either external or internal trauma. They can result in seizures, loss of balance or coordination, difficulty with speech, limited concentration, memory loss, loss of organizational and reasoning skills, loss of ability to quickly process information, loss of language functions, and changes in behavior.
Background Information:
Head injuries can cause physical, cognitive, behavioral, and/or personality changes that affect the student in the short term or permanently. Recovery may be inconsistent. A student might take one step forward, two back, do nothing for a while, and then unexpectedly make a series of gains.
Possible Accommodations:
- Tape recorders and/or laptop computers in class
- Copies of instructor and/or classmate’s notes, overheads, or PowerPoint presentations
- Extended time for exams
- Exams in a quiet, distractions-free environment
- Frequent breaks allowed during exam
- Clear arrangement of test items on paper
- Calculator, spellchecker, thesaurus, reader, and/or scribe during exams
- Alternative form of exams, such as an oral test or an essay instead of multiple-choice format
- Use of a blank card or paper to assist in reading
- Extended time to complete assignments; flexibility in expectations, demands
- Extended time for in-class assignments to correct spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar
Possible Teaching Strategies:
- Provide opportunities for a student to learn using visual, auditory, and hands-on approaches.
- Provide concise oral instructions.
If you have any more questions or concerns, feel free to contact the Office of Disability Services. We are located in the Alumni Memorial Union, Room 317. The phone number is extension 8-1645.
Heidi Vering
Coordinator, Disability Services
ODS 6/05
