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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How can I overcome my learning difficulties caused by brain injury?

    Related Topics
    Brain Injury Children's Health Learning difficulties
    I suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2002 and my memory, cognitive deficits and all the other affects that a TBI & ABI injury causes.

    I am 43yrs old and have lost everything including my wife, business, house & holiday home due to a wrong business decisions.

    Its been 3 years since and I am now finally picking up the pieces.
    I want to go back to study but finding it very hard.

    Any tips on books, courses, exercises I can do to help me learn how to learn again mentally & physically?
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    Thanks

    Shannon Storey

    Occupational Therapist (OT)

    My passion for working with children with disabilities and their families has developed over the past five years. Since graduating from Sydney University, I have … View Profile

    Hi Carven.
    I am very sorry to hear about your losses, yet inspired to hear that you are picking up the pieces of your life.

    An effective tool I have come to rely on as an occupational therapist is the use of Interactive Metronome (IM) program with my clients.

    IM provides a structured, goal-oriented program that challenges a person to synchronize a range of whole body exercises to a precise computer generated beat heard through earphones.  The client attempts to match the rhythmic beat with repetitive motor movements using sensors.

    Timing in the brain, also called “temporal processing” is responsible for basically every function we as humans have. Timing of the brain allows us to focus our attention in order to learn, reading and comprehension, memory, processing information, production of speech and motor coordination to name a few.

    What are the benefits?
    The benefits of IM cross 4 main core areas:
     
    1.  Language and speech
    -       Rate of speech production
    -       Processing of language
     
    2.  Motor coordination
    -       Motor planning and sequencing
    -       Fine and gross motor skills
     
    3.  Sensory processing
    -       Auditory processing (listening skills)
    -       Sensory integration
    -       Regulation
     
    4.  Cognitive functions
    -       Attention and concentration
    -       Impulsivity
    -       Logical reasoning
    -       Abstract thinking
    -       Memory
    -       Processing speed


    I encourage you to explore the IM website https://www.interactivemetronome.com for more information, research and the possibility of putting you into contact with providers close to you.

    Kind regards
    Shannon Storey
    www.liveactiveclinic.com.au 

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    carven

    HealthShare Member

    Thank you so much Shannon,

    I know its a hard question to ask because i have been asking that same question or years

    I appreciate your information you have provided me. I will look into it..

    Thanks once again…Kind Regards ….Carlo…

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    Ida Shapievsky

    Psychologist

    Psychological Assessment Solutions is a medium-sized boutique psychology practice situated in the Sydney Hills Districts. While we have a physical office in Rouse Hill, we … View Profile

    Hello Carven,
    Personally, it is not my area of expertise, however I have recently been in touch with a clinic in Sydney called ANTS. They specialise in providing both assessment and treatment for adults that have suffered head injury. They also run a 10 week cognitive remediation program for those that have suffered memory loss and or cognitive difficulties, Their number is 02 8012 8452. They may know of similar services in your area if you are not based in Sydney.
    Good luck.
    Ida

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    carven

    HealthShare Member

    Thank You Ida,

    I will be contacting that clinic..Every little bit helps..

    I wish you well

    Carlo..

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    Tina Garrett

    Occupational Therapist (OT)

    Well Now Health Solutions offers high quality occupational therapy services to the adult population in Gympie and the surrounding regions. Our occupational therapy services aim … View Profile

    I too am very sorry to hear of the unfortunate results of your brain injury but am similarly pleased you are finding a way forward.

    As a STEPS leader, Skills to Enable People and Communities, and an occupational therapist working with people with ABIs, I can recommend this 6 week self management course as part of your rebuilding process.  I have provided a link for you to explore the details of the course.

    If you don't have access to this program, it is useful to employ a number of strategies that will help you with your goals: these can be cognitive retraining, memory strategies, identifying support people and services that can help you meet your goal/s, and having action and contingency plans to name a few.

    It is important, for your own mental health, to remember that it all takes time.  You may feel frustrated that things take you longer now, your ability to meet goals and plan towards them is reduced and that people don't understand the difficulties becasue they are not readily observable.  Having someone to work with you  in this process who understands your situatioin can help you stay on track and support you when it gets overwhelming.

    An occupational therapist is one of the health professionals that is well trained to assist you reach your goals, and you can find them in the public and private health system.  There may be government and not for profit organisations that may also be able to help you

    I hope you are able to realise your goals and that the pieces fall into place for you

    http://www.health.qld.gov.au/abios/steps/asp/steps_skillsprog.asp

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