Causes of Non-Traumatic Brain Injury (nTBI)

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Acquired brain injuries (ABI) are any injury to the brain that occurs at some point after birth. ABIs consist of two types of brain injuries: traumatic and non-traumatic. A Non-Traumatic Brain Injury (nTBI) occurs when the brain has been damaged by an internal force at any point in a student’s life, although not prior to or during birth. Students with a nonTBIs who are found to qualify for special education may receive those supports and services under the IDEA Other Health Impairment (OHI) category. Non-TBIs are commonly caused by:

  • Stroke (Hemorrhage, Blood Clot)

  • Neurotoxic Poisoning (Carbon Monoxide, Lead Exposure)

  • Lack of Oxygen (Drowning, Lightning Strike, Choking, Hypoxic or Anoxic Injury...)

  • Infectious Disease (Meningitis, Encephalitis...)

  • Chemotherapy or Radiation

  • Electric Shock

  • Brain Tumor

  • Seizure

  • Drug Overdose