acquired brain injury

Acquired brain injury can affect cognition, thinking, emotion and behaviour. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘hidden disability’ as these impairments can be hard to identify or recognise.

Around 1 in 45 Australians live with an acquired brain injury-related disability¹. Almost three-quarters of these people are aged less than 65 years, including a quarter of hospitalisations.

As with traumatic spinal cord injury, a traumatic event leading to hospitalisation for a resulting acquired brain injury is more than twice as high for males than females. Indigenous Australians are also impacted, with over 50% of Indigenous Australians aged 45-49 reporting a head injury. Traumatic head injuries are more likely to occur in remote and regional areas.

¹Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers

ABI can be caused by a traumatic accident, repeated concussion, lack of oxygen, infection, tumour, drugs, alcohol or poisons, stroke or degenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.

The impact of an acquired brain injury on an individual, their friends and family, will depend on the nature of the specific injury. The impact may include reduced physical functioning, difficulties with thinking, emotional changes and a reduced ability to live independently.

Cognitive impacts of an acquired brain injury may include difficulty with planning and organising, memory and recall, attention and decision-making.

Psychological impacts can include low mood and anxiety, panic attacks, clinical depression, mental illness, stress and anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Behavioural changes can include personality changes, identity challenges, irritability, frustration or anger, disinhibition and impulsivity, or egocentricity and lack of self-awareness.

Physical changes that are not readily visible may include fatigue and sleep dysregulation, headaches and pain, epilepsy and seizures, sensory and perception issues, hearing loss, balance issues or dizziness, trouble with communication and speech or visual impairments.

Each person with an acquired brain injury will experience different symptoms, reflecting the injury’s extent, nature, cause and location. No two people with ABI will exhibit the same symptoms.

An acquired brain injury can occur at any time during childhood or adult life. A person experiencing an ABI may experience significant changes to their capabilities. The rehabilitation period may continue for some time before stabilising. This can impact their studies, career and independence.

An intellectual disability typically occurs before or during birth, so the individual does not experience a dramatic change in their capabilities and circumstances. An intellectual disability or neurological disorder may emerge before birth and are congenital. These include autism, cerebral palsy, attention deficit disorder and epilepsy among other conditions.

We understand that adjusting after an ABI takes time. Our trained disability support workers provide the support and ongoing adjustments to help you regain your sense of identity, purpose and independence.

Our in-home and community support services and supported independent living options can provide a pathway towards independence following an acquired brain injury.

Offering thoughtful and considerate care, our support workers have the experience and resources to help people living with a disability or spinal cord injury achieve a fulfilling life. This includes access to our expert team of registered nurses who can provide timely medical advice and insights when you need them.

Learn more about:

• In-home and community support
• Supported independent living (SIL)
• Supported independent living vacancies

Families and individuals living with an acquired brain injury can learn more about the support our services provide by sending an enquiry below.

Brain Injury SA: find information, local services, inspiring stories and employment guidance.

Brain Injury Australia: find fact sheets, newsletters, stories and more.

Synapse Australia’s Brain Injury Organisation: find support for individuals, carers and family, forum, and information about brain injury.