The brain has a very important role as it centralizes command over other organs of the body, thus, one traumatic injury can cause impact to the body. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 700,000 Australians have a brain injury, thus resulting in daily “activity limitations” and “participation restrictions”. It affects all ages at any time and can have temporary or long-term effects. Acquired brain injury /ABI is any damage to the brain which occurs after birth. The common causes of ABI are :
· Accident/trauma
· Brain infection
· Alcohol
· Drug abuse
· Stroke
What are the detrimental impacts of acquired brain injury?
· Cognitive-it affects the thought and thinking process which includes memory problems, planning skills and allows focus
· Physical-it affects the mobility of the individual like the ability to walk, drive, do self-care, balance, and move.
· Behavioural- it includes unmanaged emotions, depression, anger, and social dysfunction
· Emotional-it affects the disability to manage emotions, thus, the person may feel intense anxiety, grief, and mood swings
ABI and the NDIS
Access to the NDIS is determined on a case by case basis and must meet the following criteria:
The disability makes it difficult for you to complete tasks, thus, requiring you support like: learning, communication, mobility, self-care, and social interaction
You must have a disability that has lifetime impacts: intellectual, cognitive, sensory, physical impairments, or mental health conditions.
The NDIS supports individuals with ABI to help build skills and become more independent. The following are funds that a participant may request:
Therapeutic supports-like occupational therapy, psychology, and physiotherapy. These supports will provide assistance to the participant in managing the impacts of the disability in performing daily living tasks.
Living independently at home-this budget will allow the participant to pay for a support worker to assist him/her with the tasks that he/she cannot perform. It also allows capacity building training/programs which allows the participant to learn new skills
The study, work, and community-based activities-this budget allow the participant to join or participate in community-based programs to learn new skills, assist in finding a job or even study.
The NDIS may also fund Assistive Technology (AT) to assist in learning or lessen communication barriers, it could also be to assist the participant to improve his/her mobility like wheelchairs.
Do you have an NDIS plan and in need of supports and services relating to your ABI? Get Plan Managed with Yogi Care and access both NDIS-registered and non-registered service providers.
