About Brain Injury
Any type of brain injury that occurs after birth is called an acquired brain injury. The two main types of brain injury are those caused by an external force and those caused by an internal force. Brain injuries caused by an external force are sometimes referred to as traumatic brain injury. Acquired brain injuries can also be caused by internal forces like stroke, tumor, or loss of oxygen.
Any damage or change in brain function caused by an external force is one type of acquired brain injury. Some external factors that can lead to acquired brain injury include
- Falls
- Assaults
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Sports Injuries
These injuries often happen at home, school, work, or while operating a motor vehicle. Below are resources where you can learn more about this kind of brain injury.
Mild Brain Injury (Concussion)
Any damage or change in brain function caused by internal factors is a type of acquired brain injury. Some internal factors that can lead to acquired brain injury include:
- Stroke
- Tumor
- Loss of Oxygen
Below are resources where you can learn more about this kind of brain injury.
There are conditions related to brain injury that can also impact thinking, memory, and behavior. One of these related conditions is Dementia. In fact, research shows brain injury has strong links with dementia. Moderate and severe brain injuries can raise dementia risks by 2-4 times. Learn more and find support using the links below.
Self-Screen for Brain Injury
The brain injury screener asks you questions about your life experiences. Based on your answers to each question, your results will connect you with information and local support. The information you share, and your results are private to you. Remember, brain injury can only be diagnosed by a doctor.
Support for Brain Injury
Brain Injury Providers offer valuable resources to people who have had brain injuries, their caregivers, and families.
Support and programs cover many areas, including:
- Education
- Emotional and behavioral health
- Employment
- Housing
- Independent living
- Public awareness
- Volunteerism
The Brain Injury Association of Virginia (BIAV) is a statewide resource to help find information and support. Fill out the resource request form or call their toll-free number 1-800-444-6443
The disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV) provides statewide advocacy to individuals with TBI and their families who need help understanding government benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicaid waivers. Call dLCV at 1-800-552-3962 or request help online.
Centers for Independent Living (CILs) are non-residential places of action and coalition designed and operated by people with disabilities. CILs work with individuals to promote leadership and independence as well as with local communities to remove barriers to independence. In Virginia, most CILs serve a planning district comprised of several counties. Find your local CIL here
Find Your Local Provider
Service Area
Greater Shenandoah Valley counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Page, Rappahannock, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah; cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro
Services
Adult and pediatric case management, Community Support Services (life skills training), and Support Groups for individuals with brain injury.
Contact
Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley
755 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, MSC 9020, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Service Area
Arlington, Alexandria, Caroline, Clarke, Culpeper, Fairfax, Fauquier, Frederick, Fredericksburg, King George, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Warren, Winchester
Services
Adult and pediatric case management, Adapt Clubhouse in Alexandria, day supports in Fredericksburg, supported living, assistive technology, counseling, and vocational services.
Contact
Brain Injury Services, Inc.,
8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite B102, Springfield, VA 22152
Service Area
Abingdon, Alleghany, Bedford, Blacksburg, Bland, Botetourt, Bristol, Brunswick, Buchanan, Campbell, Carroll, Charlotte, Craig, Danville, Dickenson, Floyd, Franklin County, Galax, Giles, Grayson, Halifax, Henry, Lee, Lunenburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Norton, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Radford, Roanoke City/County, Russell, Salem, Scott, Smith, Tazewell, Wise, Washington, Wythe, Wytheville
Services
Adult and pediatric case management, Community Support Services (life skills training), Community Living Connection (CLiC) - a tele-health program, and PALS (connecting volunteers with brain injury survivors).
Contact
Brain Injury Solutions
3904 Franklin Road, Suite B, Roanoke, VA 24014-3039
Service Area
Amelia, Charles City, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Essex, Gloucester, Goochland, Hampton, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell, James City, King and Queen, King William, Mathews, New Kent, Newport News, Petersburg, Poquoson, Powhatan, Prince George, Richmond City, Surry, Williamsburg, York
Services
Adult case management, two clubhouse programs - The Mill House in Richmond and Denbigh House in Newport News, Supported Employment Services (SES) and Employee Development Services (EDS).
Contact
Community Brain Injury Services
9211 Arboretum Parkway, Ste 100, Richmond, VA. 23235
Service Area
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Franklin City, Greensville, Isle of Wight, Southampton, Suffolk, Sussex, Portsmouth
Services
Adult case management, Beacon House Clubhouse in Norfolk, Employment Services, and Support Groups (virtual and in-person).
Contact
Eggleston Brain Injury Services
5145 East Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23502
Service Area
Accomack, Northampton, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, Middlesex, Westmoreland
Services
Adult case management and No Limits day program.
Contact
No Limits Eastern Shore
PO Box 259, 24546 Coastal Boulevard, Tasley VA 23441
Service Area
Albemarle, Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlottesville, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Prince Edward
Services
Adult case management, residential services, and The BridgeLine Place Clubhouse in Charlottesville.
Contact
The BridgeLine
315 Winding River Lane, Suite 201, Charlottesville, VA 22911
Service Area
Richmond Metropolitan Area
Services
Case management for residents of two community homes for people with brain injury: Independence House and Bliley Manor. Follow-along case management is available to individuals who have moved into more independent residential settings. Case management is also provided to homeless individuals with brain injury who need housing, or those at-risk to assist with trying to maintain their current housing.
Contact
Virginia Supportive Housing
P.O. Box 8585, Richmond, VA 23226
Clubhouse Programs
Brain Injury clubhouses exist to support the realization of meaningful and productive life in the community after acquired brain injury. A brain injury clubhouse is a place for adults with brain injury who no longer receive traditional medical rehabilitation but find no resolve in staying home without a sense of purpose.