The effects of Acquaried Brain Injury (ABI) can be minor, occurring over a short period of time, or can be severe and lifelong. Acquired Brain Injury can impair a person's physical, behavioural/emotional, communicative and/or cognitive ability.
Physical impairments may include: Problems with coordination, difficulties with movement, posture and balance, difficulties with vision - blurred vision, visual field loss, changes in hearing - tinnitus or 'ringing' in the ears, eightened or reduced sensation, headaches, epilepsy, sleep disorders, extreme mental and physical fatigue, paralysis or poor speech due to poor muscle control.
Behavioural/emotional issues may include: Increased anxiety, depression, anger, irritability, silliness, lack of insight, self-centredness, decreased tact, over-familiarity, inappropriate behaviour, lack of self control - impulsivity, impatience, lack of initiative or motivation, indecisiveness, impaired judgement and planning skills, inflexibility in thoughts and actions, inability to learn from mistakes, repetition of words, actions, ideas.
Communication impairments may include: Difficulty staying on the topic, reduced volume of speech, slow response time, poor eye contact, inability to take turns in a conversation, inability to initiate topics, interrupting, talking too much, lack of expression, standing too close or using too much gesture.
Cognitive impairments may include: Memory loss or impairment, short attention and concentration span, planning and organising difficulties, impaired reasoning and abstract thinking, impaired problem solving and decision making skills, decreased speed and accuracy in processing information, language deficit's (difficulty expressing thoughts and understanding others, inappropriate word selection), lack of awareness and perception or poor insight.