Changing the Brain Injury Conversation: Why Words Matter

Words matter—especially when it comes to brain injury.In this episode of The Brain Injury Insider, we discuss a new joint statement from leading brain injury organizations that aims to improve how brain injury is defined, discussed, and understood across medicine, law, policy, and public life.The guidance, titled “Communicating About Brain Injury,” was released by the Brain Injury Association of America and partner organizations to address outdated and often harmful language surrounding brain injury—including the overuse of “mild, moderate, and severe” labels.Key topics include:• Why traditional “severity” labels are misleading• Brain injury as a chronic, lifelong condition• Traumatic vs. non-traumatic (acquired) brain injury• Twelve core principles for communicating about brain injury• How language affects insurance claims, access to services, clinical care, and legal outcomes• The importance of centering people with brain injury as whole individualsWhether you are a survivor, caregiver, clinician, researcher, legal professional, or advocate, this conversation is essential.Organizations involved in developing the guidance include:• The Brain Injury Association of America• The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM)• The National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)• The North American Brain Injury Society• PINK Concussions• The TBI Model SystemsAs a past president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State and former chair of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council, I commend these organizations for advancing this important work.Read the full guidance here:https://biausa.org/CommunicatingAboutBrainInjuryFind out more about brain injury at https://brainlaw.com/brain-injuries/help/Watch this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckuC69k85hYBrain Injury Insider is a weekly podcast by The Brain Injury Law Firm ®, De Caro & Kaplen, LLP.Host Michael Kaplen is a passionate advocate of the rights of brain injury survivors, and has been fighting on their behalf for over 40 years.De Caro & Kaplen, LLP228 E. 45th Street, Suite 1100, New York, NY 10017Toll Free: (866) 272-4652e: [email protected]