Concussions

Although a concussion is classified as a "mild," traumatic brain injury the impact on everyday life can be significant.

Problems with thinking and communication frequently occur after a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.

Common Difficulties That Occur After a Mild TBI/Concussion

Memory Issues

- Forgetting past or upcoming events, information, or tasks
- Difficulty learning and retaining new information
- Frequent misplacement of items

Attention Issues

- Trouble paying attention/easily distracted
- Increased difficulty multitasking
- Not finishing tasks

Executive Function Difficulties

- Problems planning, organizing and prioritizing tasks
- Difficulty getting started on tasks
- Challenges with problem solving, reasoning and decision making
- Completing multi-step tasks
- Time management challenges

Communication Difficulties

- Trouble following along in conversation due to processing speed/memory/comprehension
- Difficulty formulating, conveying or completing thoughts (losing train of thought)
- Difficulty getting to the point
- Word finding errors - may utilize the wrong word (i.e. spoon for fork) or feel like the word is at the “tip of the tongue"

Physical Challenges:

- Hearing deficits - tinnitus and noise sensitivity
- Vision deficits - blurred or double vision, light sensitivity
- Vestibular/balance issues
- Sleep and fatigue
- Pain
- Headaches

Emotional Challenges

- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Frustration
- Anger
- Reduced self confidence
- Reduced motivation

These difficulties can result in challenges with understanding, conversation, reading, writing, social interactions, speaking and reading.

Cognitive communication impairments negatively affect communication across the following contexts and can result in reduced confidence, stress, anxiety, frustration and embarrassment.

Family Communication

Difficulty following along in conversation especially when more than one person is present.

Difficulty generating topics of conversation.

Decreased meaningful engagement in conversation.

Decreased empathy, perspective taking and consideration for others.

Difficulty planning and problem solving.

Difficulty making decisions.

All of which can undermine the individuals ability to communicate his/her role as a parent, sibling, child or spouse.

Social Communication

Establishing and maintaining relationships in all contexts is pivotal for reintegration to school, work, and community.

Reduced effectiveness with social interactions can result in social isolation.

Community Communication

Reduced independence and difficulty understanding or communicating effectively during interactions in the community.

Difficulties can include trouble scheduling tasks, recalling things to do, financial transactions and participation in recreational activities.

Academic Communication

Challenges with cognitive communication can result in trouble comprehending course material, trouble learning new information, reduced organization/time management, difficulty completing reading and writing assignments and reduced participation in class discussions and extracurriculur activities.

Workplace Communication

Communication impairments following acquired brain injuries has been shown to be a barrier in returning to work and for job maintenance.

Common deficits impacting return to employment include:

Memory deficits, challenges with auditory processing, cognitive fatigue, reduced speed of processing, executive function difficulties and reduced verbal reasoning.

Information Management

Ability to process, recall and convey information relevant to one's life including independent management of health, household information, legal information and financial information.

Problem Solving Communication

Trouble with higher level reasoning, decision making and problem solving.

Challenges identifying the problem and planning/implementing solutions due to reduced flexibility and generation/brainstorming.

References:

MacDonald, S. (2017). Introducing the model of cognitive-communication competence: A model to guide evidence-based communication interventions after brain injury.

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