Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injuries are complex injuries caused by an impact or penetrating wound to the head that disrupts the typical functioning of the brain. TBIs are highly prevalent and complex injuries. They can present in different severities, have numerous causes, and result in a variety of different types of symptoms and impairments. These impairments can include articulation disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders, swallowing disorders, social communication disorders, cognitive communication disorders, and more. Every injury will be different, and every individual will experience different symptoms and have different priorities for their recovery. This means treatment should also be nuanced to reflect these differences. This project seeks to understand how Speech-Language Pathologists assist in the treatment and recovery of TBIs. Through frameworks that combine medical and social models of health such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, Speech-Language Pathologists can gain a more holistic view of the person. This comprehensive view of the person allows the Speech-Language Pathologist to individualize their care, creating an individualized management approach for the individual with a Traumatic Brain Injury that moves beyond a focus on diagnosis and impairment and toward a holist view that focuses on treating the person.
Semester/Year of Award
Spring 2026
Mentor
Maria Bane
Mentor Department Affiliation
Clinical Therapeutic Programs
Access Options
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelors
Department
Clinical Therapeutic Programs
Presentation
https://canva.link/ajig5jsf0k9x4m7
Recommended Citation
Wollam, Elayna R., "You Hit Your Head, What Comes Next? How Can Speech-Language Pathologists Assist in Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery?" (2026). Honors Theses. 1151.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/1151
