Clinical Psychologists are concerned with the relationship between the brain and behaviour.  They work with adults and children who have had an illness or brain injury.

A Clinical Psychologist may work in a number of ways with a brain-injured person and, when the patient is well enough, may carry neuro-psychological tests.  These will be looking at:

When these assessments have been carried out the Clinical Psychologist will talk about the results to the brain-injured person and his relatives / carers.  She/he can help to clarify why the patient is acting or behaving in a certain way and can suggest ways in which certain behaviours can be consistently  approached by everyone (visitors, therapists, nurses, ward orderlies, doctors etc.).  Importantly, the Clinical Psychologist will work with the brain-injured person to help him/her to adopt strategies and memory aids etc. in order to cope with his or her changed perspectives and intellectual functioning should the need arise.

In cases where there is a dramatic change in personality, or where the lifestyle has been / will be significantly altered the Clinical Psychologist can offer help and support to relatives / carers as they go through a period of adjustment.  Similarly, the Clinical Psychologist can work with the brain-injured person to help him / her gain insight into personal difficulties as well as identify personal strengths.

If you would like more information why not visit The British Psychological Society at http://www.bps.org.uk (telephone 0116 254 9568)

The Occupational Therapist (often known as the OT) has a role in helping the brain-injured person to achieve his or her maximum level for independence in order to return to home, work and leisure activities. Her role crosses the physical, cognitive, perceptual and psychological problems which can affect the brain injured person as well as relatives and carers.

The Occupational Therapist can be involved in any stage of treatment and rehabilitation.  If required early on they will have a role in stimulating the patient and in ensuring good positioning of joints to prevent contractures or loss of range of movement.  They can work with relatives to help them to become involved in personal care  and can demonstrate to relatives how best to offer stimulation to help an individual to make sense of where they find themselves as they become more aware.

As rehabilitation progresses the role of occupational therapist focuses on maintaining and retraining in independence skills.  Correct seating positions for example can mean a big difference to someone wanting to hold their head up or write or feed themselves.  A few aids may mean the difference between someone holding their own fork and someone holding it for them.

The Occupational Therapist works closely with brain-injured person and his relatives / carers in order to prioritise goals that are important to them.  In certain circumstances, home visits will be carried out by the Occupational Therapists to check what the individual is going to need to do when discharged in order to cope at home, and what aids and adaptations may be necessary.

Functional activities that are relevant to the individual are used in occupational therapy and Occupational Therapists  can be found in hospitals, rehabilitation centres or the community (with people in their own homes). 

After return home, Occupational Therapists are often involved in helping people return to former work, new employment or education and training.

For further information why not visit The College of Occupational Therapy website at http://www.cot.co.uk

At the College of Occupational Therapy website you will also be able to find a directory of private practitioners which may be useful if you are considering seeking extra support or a second opinion.

The physiotherapist (often know as the 'physio') will be one of the first rehabilitation professionals that you will come in contact with.  Physiotherapy usually begins in intensive care (although not everyone will be admitted to this intensive service) and will continue until discharge.  In the early stages the physiotherapist will be concerned with keeping the chest clear and keeping joints mobile and put through their full range of movements regularly.  In the early stages the physiotherapist can show relatives / carers how to help so that during  visit's they can not only  provide stimulation  through talking  but also have a  hand in maintaining joints and muscles until such time as the patient can do it for him/herself.

The physiotherapist will move the patient on to sitting, standing and walking as soon as he / she is ready to do this.  Again the physiotherapist can show relatives / carers how to help and support and how to make sure that limbs are positioned correctly etc.  This is a great help as therapists are not around 24 hours a day to maintain good positions.

There may be other injuries that a physiotherapist may be attending to such as fractured limbs if involved in an accident.  The individualised care plan that the physiotherapist will have devised will cover all aspects of rehabilitation and will prioritise the aspects of care. This is the same when near to discharge or when attending as an out-patient.  Patients and carers can discuss the care plans with the physiotherapist (and other members of the team) and will be able to assist in the decision making process (what is happening, when and where).

For further information why not visit the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy at http://www.csp.org.uk

At the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists website you will also be able to find a directory private practitioners which may be useful if you are considering hiring extra support or a second opinion.

The social worker is the person to approach for practical help on such issues as benefits, housing, accommodation, transport or assistance at home. The Social Worker may also be able to offer emotional support as well.  You may be able to access a Hospital Social Worker while receiving in-patient care or after discharge this may be through your local Social Services Office.  

Speech & Language Therapists offer guidance and support to understand the nature of communication difficulties.  They work in partnership with the brain injured person and their families to identify the barriers that brain injury has placed on natural conversation.  They then provide help for individuals in  communication skills, competence and confidence at each stage of recovery.

The Speech and Language Therapist's role includes:

For further information why not visit the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists at http://www.rcslt.org

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