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 child’s educational performance.

Traumatic brain injury encompasses open or closed head injuries that result in impairments in one or more areas, including cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem-solving, sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities, psychosocial behavior, physical functions, information processing, and speech.

Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma (A.R.S. § 15-761).

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for special education is based on an evaluation pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-766 and the following requirements:

• The student has an acquired open or closed injury to the brain that was caused by an external physical force that has resulted in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects performance in the educational environment. Resulting impairments include such areas of disability as cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, behaviors, physical function, information processing, and speech.
  • The injury is not congenital or degenerative, or induced by birth trauma.
  • The injury has been verified by a doctor of medicine or a doctor of osteopathy.
  • The student was evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disability.

Professional Learning Opportunities

FY25 TBI Sessions

Additional TBI Resources

Arizona Governor's Council on Spinal and Head Injuries

Brain Injury Association of Arizona

Brain Injury Association of America

National Association of State Head Injury Administrators