Garfield Park Academy contributed to the newly-published Behavior after Brain Injury: Challenges for Children & Adolescents. The publication is a project of the Children & Adolescents Committee of the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ).

The Committee developed the guide to help parents identify, understand, and respond to the behavioral issues they may see in their child after a brain injury. The lead authors, members of the Committee, include parents and professionals who work in the field of brain injury, cognitive rehabilitation, general and special education, and school nursing.

The guide was also developed to be used by general and special education teachers, school psychologists, educational consultants, social workers, guidance counselors, principals, speech and language pathologists, and other professionals who work with students with brain injuries.

While behavioral issues following brain injury are not uncommon, parents often receive little information and few avenues of support to address the changes in behavior that can dramatically impact their child at home and in school. These changes can also directly and indirectly affect their child’s future expectations and achievements. The guide provides a foundation for educating parents about what to look for and where to go to seek help. With this material, parents will gain an increased awareness and understanding of behavioral challenges. They will also have information on what to do when they begin to see behavioral issues.