Brain Injury Support Group
Traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. Outcome can be anything from complete recovery to permanent disability or death. A coma can also affect a child's brain.
My Son is 2 1/2 with a brain injury. Its been five months since his injury occured and he is healing very well walking talking and boneflap has been replaced still have issues with his left arm and hand. I've noticed his focus doesn't exsist anymore he reminds me very much of a child with an extreme case of ADHD i'm told this is normal with brain injuries he was just recently put on adderall which seems to help him slow down and listen and be more aware of his surroundings but im curious as to will he always have to use meds or will he regain a little bit of his focus. Has anyone ever used a medicine like this and his age i keep getting told its better that it happened at a young age rather than older
I am 31 years old, yes there is just a bit of an age difference between me and your son, only a year or2. :)
First off, YAYAY for having his bone flap replaced. I have that same surgery. I know what you are going through. Did he have to wear a helmet? I did.
Now as for your question. I was on ritalin. My concetratiion was completely gone. I felt like a person with severe ADHD. I was everyhwere. It was really bad if it was say, a TV show that I didn't really like or someone talking to me about a toppic i found boring. I could not focus at all. My mind was going all over the place. It has gotten a little better. I am off the ritalin now, but it is something I do need to work on.
As for your son, I work in the mental health field. I worked with lots of kids with ADHD, ADD, that are on adderall. In my humble (non doctor) opinion, he should eventually be able to go off the meds. Be weaned off. He truly is lucky that he is young. His brain is still learning and growing and it will have a chance to train itself how to focus, how to slow down, etc. He is not "old" like some of us and set in our ways. I am trying to retrain my brain to focus. Its hard work.
One silver lining in his TBI is that he is young. It is not easy finding those silver linings with this, I KNOW!!!! But it really is one.
Hope this gives you a little bit of encouragement.
Much love and strength to you and your family!
Kara