La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CI-723

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CI-723 - Traumatic Brain Injury

A. Definition. Traumatic Brain Injury means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a student's educational performance. The term applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, or motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

B. Criteria for Eligibility. Evidence of criteria listed in Paragraphs 1 and 2 must be met for a student to be classified as having a Traumatic Brain Injury:

1. documented medical evidence of an external insult to the brain causing an impairment in accordance with the definition exists; and

2. the impaired functioning significantly affects educational performance.

C. Procedures for Evaluation. Conduct all procedures described under §513, Evaluation Components.

D. Additional procedures for evaluation:

1. medical documentation that there has been an external insult to the brain, which causes an impairment to the cognitive, physical, behavioral or emotional functioning of the individual. A health assessment shall be conducted by a school nurse or other qualified personnel when the medical report indicates the student has an impairment requiring health technology, health management, or health treatments including a special diet or medication, or needs assistance with activities of daily living;

2. a psychological assessment conducted by a certified school psychologist to determine the status of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning;

3. a speech/language evaluation conducted by a speech/language pathologist to determine whether there are speech and/or language difficulties;

4. any other assessment procedures deemed necessary by the multidisciplinary team.

E. Procedures for Reevaluation

1. Due to the implications of a traumatic brain injury, a triennial reevaluation should be conducted if there are notable changes in the school setting regarding cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem-solving, sensory, perceptual, or motor abilities, psychosocial behavior, physical functions, information processing, or speech. These changes could be noted by any member of the IEP Team.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CI-723

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 35:913 (May 2009), effective July 1, 2009.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:1941 et seq.