Remember how you felt when you were punished as a child? Do confused, pained and embarrassed come to mind? You were less likely to act the same again in order to avoid those feelings.
After a severe brain injury, a child can feel equally punished and lost. This is because tasks that were once easy (jumping, singing, housework) may be extremely difficult, even painful. When children with severe brain injuries attempt such tasks and fail, they feel confused, embarrassed, hurt; all emotions associated with punishment. It makes them less willing to reattempt these tasks.
The effect of failure and embarrassment in re-learning previous skills can hamper rehabilitation. If a child needs to work on speech but has difficulty talking, he will likely resist working with a speech therapist.
Behavioral therapy can make a huge difference for the child. Behavioral therapists often focus on changing the child’s environment to provide positive reinforcement for attempted tasks. Negative reinforcement is used for inappropriate behavior.
During behavioral therapy, a neuropsychologist helps identify each child’s unique problem areas, to create a treatment plan that will aid rehabilitation.
When to Contact a Boston Child Brain Injury Attorney
If your child has suffered serious injury because of the negligence of another person, order this complimentary book, Dealing with a Nightmare: The Essential Steps to Take if Your Child Suffers a Serious Injury.
Or, contact the Boston child injury lawyers at Kiley Law Group directly at 800-930-8145 to schedule a no-cost evaluation. Our firm serves clients in the greater Boston area and will advocate for fair compensation for your child’s injuries.
