Pilot Unit of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation for Children with Acquired Brain Injury
ELEPAP's Acquired brain injury is often characterized as a “silent epidemic for children, adolescents and young adults in modern societies”.
The Pilot Unit of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation for Children with Acquired Brain Injury aims to fill the gap in specialized neuropsychological rehabilitation and reintegration interventions for children with acquired brain injury and to serve as a supplement to ELEPAP's integrated rehabilitation programs. The new Unit comes as an extension of the Brain Injury Day Treatment Rehabilitation Program for Adults with Acquired Brain Injury that, since 2008, has operated under the auspices of the Brain Injury Day Treatment Program of Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Medical Centre.
The Program, the first in Greece, will address children between 6 and 16 years old who have sustained a brain injury (Traumatic brain injury, intracranial tumor, encephalitis, anoxia and stroke), at the post-acute stage. The abilities of oral communication (understanding of simple instructions and communication of fundamental needs), maintenance of a minimum level of awareness and the absence of a diagnosis of a pervasive developmental disorder or an autistic spectrum disorder are the prerequisites for participation in the Program
Following a brain injury, the early clarification of the neuropsychological deficits and the understanding of their impact on the child’s overall functioning (in cognitive behavioural, emotional and social/communicational level) and the enhancement of cognitive skills and self esteem are of major importance in promoting the child’s ability to reintegrate smoothly into the school environment, form a realistic new identity, maintain friendships and develop the necessary skills in order to be able to cope as a young adult.
The Pilot Unit of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation for Children with Acquired Brain Injury of ELEPAP will offer an extensive neuropsychological assessment and a Systematic Holistic Neuropsychological Intervention Program according to the current needs and re integration stage of the child.
Through systematic individual and group interventions, the program will provide:
o Cognitive training
o Awareness reinforcement,
o Communication and social skills enhancement,
o Modification of dysfunctional behaviours,
o Training in new strategies,
o Empathy reinforcement,
o Formulation of a positive and realistic identity/self image
o Psychological and emotional support,
o Parental training and support and
o Communication and cooperation with the school environment.