A child with a traumatic brain injury has had a sudden injury to the brain. This injury has been caused by an external event resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychological and social problems that affect educational performance. The term includes open or closed head injuries.

A child with traumatic brain injury may experience problems with vision (blurred or doubled), hearing, health or motor skills, thinking or functional living skills, learning, speech or language functions, or inappropriate or impulsive behaviors. Parents are encouraged to contact their local school district as soon as possible after a head injury occurs so that the district can begin planning for the child's return to school.