Missouri UCEDD Launches New Training on Traumatic Brain Injuries

March 21, 2024

Sports injuries, car accidents, violence or even simple falls may cause a traumatic brain injury. Know the symptoms.

Brain injury is more common than you might think. Every brain injury is different in terms of symptoms, affected areas of the brain and the outcome.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development, the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities for the state of Missouri, has just launched a new free training to raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries - or TBIs. It highlights symptoms, treatments and provides prevention strategies.

Developed as an annual training requirement for Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services providers and direct care staff, the training can benefit a greater audience as brain injuries can often go undiagnosed.

"Anyone can get a traumatic brain injury, certainly no one is immune," according to Eric Hart, Pys.D., ABPP-CN, Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist, University of Missouri Healthcare. "It's one of the more common neurological conditions that can and does occur across the lifespan."

For individuals, families and health care providers, the FREE training serves as a convenient resource for anyone wanting a basic overview or refresher course.

The training features four modules:

• Brain Injury Basics
• Specific Populations (Youth, Aging, Rural)
• Treatments
• Special Topics (Employment, Community Access, etc.)

"The best thing that we can do for kids regarding brain injury is to prevent them," noted Dr. Jane Emerson, Professor of Clinical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Rusk Rehabilitation Hospital. "It's much easier for you as parents and teachers to prevent a head injury than for me to treat one."

Learn more or take the free training.