UCF Launches First Traumatic Brain Injury Program of Its Kind In The U.S.
Up to 20 percent of U.S. college students suffer from the long-term affects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to recent studies at the University of Central Florida. In response, the university is launching a TBI program to provide academic rehabilitation to students with this condition. It is the first university in the country to offer such a program on campus, and its leaders believe it will become a national model, according to UCF.
“Many times these college students have been hurt in a car accident or have suffered other traumatic brain injury in their pre-teen or teen years,” said Larry Schutz, the director of the UCF TBI program and a clinical neuropsychologist. “While they may get rehabilitation for their physical injuries, the mental implications sometimes take a while to manifest and even when they do, young people tend to deny there is a problem.
Traumatic brain injuries require both physical and mental rehabilitation. Last month, I posted information about the long-term affects of TBI reported in the Wall Street Journal. Congratulations to the University of Central Florida for addressing this serious medical concern for the benefit of its students.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Mr. King: I echo your applause for UCF’s program. As a Life Care Planner I have been extremely disheartened about the non-existence of services for those with TBI in the community. When these folks complete their inpatient rehabilitation after their initial injury, there are very few avenues for them to pursue in order to return to maximum function. Of the options available, only the people with exceptional insurance or unlimited funds are able to participate.
At a recent Life Care Planning Summit I was made aware of the fact that a large number of our troops in Iraq are sustaining concussive brain injuries due to the constant exposure to explosive devices. This will become a major area of concern for returning veterans of this war.