title: Care of Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Traumatic Brain Injury.
abstract: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) manifest in various forms and severities, and patients with TBIs can have multiple physical and psychological comorbidities. The physician should be prepared to assess effects of the injury and associated comorbidities, and provide needed social support. Common comorbidities include cognitive changes; epilepsy; chronic pain; headache; sleep disorders; neuroendocrine disorders; dizziness and balance issues; substance abuse; depression and anxiety; dementia; and behavioral disturbances, such as aggression. Early severity and cognitive assessment after TBI is key. For patients with mild TBIs, short-term management focuses on cognitive rest, symptom management, and gradual return to regular activities. Short-term management of patients with moderate to severe TBI often requires intensive care unit admission, early psychological consultation, and use of mannitol and probiotics. Long-term care includes monitoring and managing of the physical, behavioral, emotional, and psychological comorbidities that commonly occur in patients with TBIs. Assisting patients in accessing community and government resources can be crucial for improving their independence and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Neuro Behavioral Home Program, 650 Komas Drive Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, kyle.jones@hsc.utah.edu.
authors.forename: Kyle Bradford
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Neuro Behavioral Home Program, 650 Komas Drive Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Neuro Behavioral Home Program, 650 Komas Drive Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weedon
authors.affiliation: Neuro Behavioral Home Program, 650 Komas Drive Suite 200, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bilder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000628:therapy*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005194:Family Practice; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000628:therapy*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life