Kathy Richardson, Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer

03/10/2026

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATIONS

A neuropsychological evaluation assesses how one's brain functions post-traumatic brain injury. The neuropsychological evaluation involves an interview and the administration of tests. The tests are typically pencil and paper type tests. Some tasks might be self-reports meaning that the patient completes them with assistance from a technician. The tests require administration by a neuropsychologist or trained, skilled psychometrist.
Neuropsychological tests evaluate functioning in several areas, including intelligence, executive functions (such as planning, abstraction, conceptualization), attention, memory, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, motivation, mood state and emotion, quality of life, and personality styles.
A complete evaluation generally takes between two and five hours to complete but can take up to eight hours, depending on the complexity of the issues to be addressed by the evaluation and the patient's condition (for example, fatigue, confusion, and motor slowing can extend the time required for an assessment). Occasionally, it is necessary to complete the evaluation over two or more sessions. In general, the clinician attempts to elicit the patient's best possible performance under optimal conditions.
These are not tests that one can study for, but there are several things that one can do to facilitate the evaluation:
• The patient should bring a current list of ALL medications and doses (because medicines may frequently change for some persons, it is vital to make sure the list is up to date)
• If the patient has difficulty providing information about their history, it is helpful for a family member or friend to accompany them (for at least part of the clinical interview).
• It is helpful if the patient can provide records of previous neurodiagnostic testing (e.g., brain scans such as CT or MRI scans) and results from previous neuropsychological evaluations if completed at another hospital or institution.
The neuropsychologist's goal is to get the best possible picture of the patient's current functioning. Several things can interfere with this goal, such as if the patient is:
• Fatigued or has sudden, unexpected "sleep attacks";
• Not motivated to put forth their best effort;
• Very emotionally distraught or has a mental illness;
• Under the influence of medications or illicit substances which interfere with cognitive functioning;
• Experiencing frequent changes in the ability to move.
Patients should let the examiner know if they anticipate that any of these issues will interfere with the evaluation.

01/12/2026

This.

12/29/2025

Ways you can plan and prepare healthy meals after brain injury

09/10/2025

IS A TBI SURVIVOR FEELING ANGRY?
Aggression is one of the most common consequences of traumatic brain injury. Approximately 34% of TBI survivors will exhibit physical or verbally abusive behavior. Physical and extreme verbal aggression are hazardous behaviors that require immediate professional attention. Often, family members are afraid to address the issue. Other times, their efforts, including seeking outside help, are not successful. It can lead to involvement by law enforcement, mental health, or other emergency systems. In extreme cases, a person may be hospitalized or jailed for a brief period to address the immediate event, but this rarely solves the problem.
It is essential to understand that such steps constitute crisis management rather than treatment. The goal of such efforts is to eliminate the immediate danger. The good news is that there is always a trigger for aggressive behavior: frustration, fatigue, hunger, pain, overstimulation, disorganization, unexpected events, fear, communication impairments, medications, alcohol or drugs, illness, or embarrassment. Watch for warning signs. Few people automatically become explosive. Often, there are predictable signs of impending danger. Some symptoms may be subtle, facial grimaces, posturing, or withdrawing from situations. Other signs may be more obvious, such as changes in the person’s tone, increasing complaints, threats, warnings, tears, or crying. Address the problem at this point, when the person can still be engaged in conversation or has enough composure to try and calm down. The discussion should be supportive, not judgmental. All parties involved should remain calm and composed. Try and help them identify the trigger for the anger. Talk to them about advocating for their needs in a socially acceptable manner.
Should a situation escalate to aggressive behavior, withdraw yourself and others from the area, if possible, and do not engage with the survivor until they have calmed down. If the survivor causes harm, call the police. The treatment of chronic aggression in TBI survivors involves a combination of environmental modifications and therapy, which consists of assessing the antecedents to the behavior, the behavior itself, and the consequences of the behavior. Therapists who specialize in working with TBI survivors are the most qualified and will create a plan for caregivers to implement.

08/27/2025

So true!❤️

Truth.

08/10/2025

For TBI Survivors Only – Part Two
One of the things I have the most difficulty with is my memory! I’m sure you have experienced this also. After my tbi I realized that I needed to have a set routine for my daily tasks such as waking up, taking a shower, getting dressed, feeding my dog, having breakfast, brushing my teeth, taking my meds and taking my dog out for a walk. Thank goodness for my smartphone! At first, I had to schedule these daily tasks into my smartphone with alarm reminders. Now these daily tasks have become routine.
If I have an important thought or remember something I need to do, I jot it down immediately and then put into a to-do-list app on my phone. The thought or idea can slip away as easily as it came. When I have time each day, and distractions are at a minimum, I go back and deal with my to-do-list.
By the way, I love post-it-notes in different colors! I use them all the time. You can label cabinets and drawers with them, put reminders on them, use them to get your stuff organized and more.
To keep track of my meds, I keep them in a small bin and use pill organizers. I keep a list of my meds on my smartphone. I have two different colors, one for am meds and one for pm meds. On Sunday evenings I fill the organizers for the week. I set an alarm reminder on my phone because sometimes I get so busy that I do forget to take them.
This is very important! Establish designated places for important items. How many times have you lost your keys or phone? I put everything in a designated space. It saves me a lot of time and frustration when I know where everything is.
I check my phone each night before bed to see what my schedule will be like the next day. I gather everything I will need and lay out my clothes. When I wake up in the morning I check my schedule again to refresh my memory and get ready for the day. Speaking of schedules, mine is very full each day, so I color code my appointments to help me see at a glance what appointments are work related, friend or family related, personal, etc.
One of the best things you can do is declutter and simplify your home and work areas. Your brain will thank you for this simple task and nothing is more freeing than knowing everything in your home or work area has a purpose. Donate things you don’t use or don’t wear. Stop unnecessary newspapers and magazines and whenever updated material arrives, throw out the old versions. The old adage “you can’t take it with you” is so true! Surround yourself with only the things you actually need and the things that bring you pleasure.
If you don’t want to use a smartphone, use a small planner and carry it with you to keep track of your schedule and tasks. Either way, keep them with you wherever you go. They will be your lifeline.

07/14/2025

For TBI Survivors Only – Part One
There are many things you can do to help yourself and improve your quality of life. You can build your self-confidence, manage your fatigue, lessen your overload, improve your memory, and your cognitive functioning.

Let’s start with building your self-confidence. You have suffered a traumatic event that has changed you. Allow yourself to grieve. Keeping a gratitude journal will help you challenge any negative thoughts. It’s important to keep your perspective…you survived! Whatever your spiritual beliefs, you survived for a reason. You have something to offer to the world because you are unique and valuable! Always surround yourself with supportive and positive people. If you make a mistake or forget something, laugh it off and forgive yourself. Nobody’s perfect.

Fatigue is the most debilitating effect of a TBI. Many things can contribute to fatigue. The major contributing factors are lack of sleep, poor eating habits, pain, stress, hypersensitivities, and performing tasks. Making sure you are attentive to these factors will greatly improve your brain’s functioning at optimal levels throughout each day.

Make sure you are getting 8-10 hours of good sleep each night. Make your bedroom a “sleep only” zone. Darken your windows and use a fan or “white noise” machine. If you think you get 8-10 hours of sleep and still wake up tired, contact your doctor. You may have developed sleep apnea. If you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, try natural sleep aids like essential oils, herbal teas, and/or hot baths before bedtime. If you continue to have difficulty with sleep, contact your doctor. Sleep is vital to heal your brain and improve your cognitive functioning.

Maintain a healthy diet by eating the right balance of protein, starch, fruits, and vegetables, in the right amounts. Check out http://www.choosemyplate.gov. Good nutrition will help supply your brain with the energy it needs to function properly throughout the day. Eat 3 healthy meals and healthy snacks between meals. Drink at least 85 ounces of water daily. Limit your caffeine intake to 2 cups a day and avoid ni****ne and alcohol.

Pain is very draining on the brain and reduces your ability to function properly. If you are in pain, you need to see your doctor to find out the cause. If you are prescribed pain medications, try natural remedies such as acupuncture, massage, and CBD oil first. They are non-addictive and don’t have side effects like opioids.

You should monitor your stress level. Stress has a funny way of sneaking up on you until you finally realize what’s happening. Breathe. Listen to meditative music, use essential oils, color mandalas, or do anything that relaxes you and makes you feel good.

Some of you may have developed hypersensitivities to light, sound. Limit your exposure to bright lights and loud sounds. Use earplugs and sunglasses to reduce your sensitivities. If you gradually increase your exposure to lights and sounds, you can improve your tolerance.

Next week’s blog is “For TBI Survivors Only – Part Two - Getting Organized”!

07/05/2025

Types of Stroke
The type of stroke you have affects your treatment and recovery.
The three main types of stroke are:
• Ischemic stroke.
• Hemorrhagic stroke.
• Transient ischemic attack (a warning or “mini-stroke”).
Learn about the health conditions and lifestyle habits that can increase your risk for stroke.

Ischemic Stroke
Most strokes (87%) are ischemic strokes.1 An ischemic stroke happens when blood flow through the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain becomes blocked.
Blood clots often cause blockages that lead to ischemic strokes.

Hemorrhagic Stroke
A hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures (breaks open). The leaked blood puts too much pressure on brain cells, which damages them.
High blood pressure and aneurysms—balloon-like bulges in an artery that can stretch and burst—are examples of conditions that can cause a hemorrhagic stroke.
There are two types of hemorrhagic strokes:
• Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most common type of hemorrhagic stroke. It occurs when an artery in the brain bursts, flooding the surrounding tissue with blood.
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a less common type of hemorrhagic stroke. It refers to bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is sometimes called a “mini-stroke.” It is different from the major types of stroke because blood flow to the brain is blocked for only a short time—usually no more than 5 minutes.2
It is important to know that:
• A TIA is a warning sign of a future stroke.
• A TIA is a medical emergency, just like a major stroke.
• Strokes and TIAs require emergency care. Call 9-1-1 right away if you feel signs of a stroke or see symptoms in someone around you.
• There is no way to know in the beginning whether symptoms are from a TIA or from a major type of stroke.
• Like ischemic strokes, blood clots often cause TIAs.
• More than a third of people who have a TIA and don’t get treatment have a major stroke within 1 year. As many as 10% to 15% of people will have a major stroke within 3 months of a TIA.2
Recognizing and treating TIAs can lower the risk of a major stroke. If you have a TIA, your health care team can find the cause and take steps to prevent a major stroke.

05/19/2025

03/03/2025

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month!

Share your posts and pictures about mask displays in your area throughout the month.

09/04/2024