Published on: 12/12/19
The book, aimed at therapists or clinicians working with children, shares stories and learning from frontline practitioners who have creatively adapted their practice to help with the psychological impact of an ABI.
It covers ‘all you need to know’ about brain development, paediatric brain injury, assessment and formulation. Individual chapters then bring to life approaches that experts in the field have developed. The book concludes with ideas around measuring effective practice and thinking about a vision for better services.
Associate Professor Dr Jenny Jim is the Lead Editor, who works as a Principal Clinical Psychologist at The Children’s Trust. Together with Dr Esther Cole, Highly Specialist Psychologist, they have produced a book driven by the desire to improve the lives of children with an ABI which recognises their uniqueness.
Staggeringly, every 30 minutes, a child in the UK sustains a brain injury through accident, abuse, illness or injury. No two brain injuries are the same let alone the impact of these. Each family has a unique story that needs to be heard.
Two families generously shared their stories at the book’s launch. Esther described her work with Ethan (when he was 10 years old), which was the inspiration for the book. Ethan sustained an ABI from a brain tumour and was first treated at The Children’s Trust before being discharged home.
Ethan’s ABI had left him with difficulties with his physical mobility and mental health. Despite these challenging circumstances, Ethan made improvements in his mood and began to attend school more consistently.
Rafi (now 19 years old) spoke about his own experiences and achievements since suffering a brain haemorrhage from a ruptured AVM, seven years ago. He and his mother Jackie spoke about what helped him during his stay at The Children’s Trust. Jackie saw Jenny regularly which helped her ‘keep strong and focused and in the best position to support and understand what Rafi was going through’.
Another clinical psychologist, Dr Louise Owen, made a book with photos and an explanation of his journey so far, which was helpful to calm Rafi when he was distressed. The family also made a text-based poster focused on who Rafi is: his personality, likes, interests, ambitions, favourites food, friends and special holiday memories.
Rafi’s recovery has been remarkable: from being in a coma after his brain bleed, he has since learnt to walk, talk and eat again, returned to school, passed his GSCEs, started a career in modelling – and taken up racerunning as a para-athlete. He represented Great Britain as the Berlin World Para Athletics. Rafi is double world-record holder in racerunning over 100 and 200ms. He was recently selected for Great Britain at the Dubai World Para Athletics in November 2019 winning Silver in RR3 racerunning 100m!
Appreciating the uniqueness and personhood of each child, young person and family – understanding their strengths and needs is a key theme in the book. Jenny said “We need to think about these children as children first and a brain injury second.”
The book is available via Routledge (as part of its Brain Injuries Series), Waterstones and Amazon.
