Practical issues in behavior management for family members of individuals with traumatic brain injury

Changes in behavior, both cognitive and emotional, are common following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Typically, these changes have a greater impact on family members than the physical limitations that often accompany brain injury. In this article, we present an overview of the behavioral techniques that have been used by family members of individuals with brain injury to deal with these problematic behavior changes. Clinical vignettes are presented that describe the actual solutions that family members have used in the home to help deal with behavior changes. The importance of determining the source of the behavior changes is highlighted, and the need to apply behavior intervention programs with consistency is discussed. In addition, this article stresses the need for continued interaction between rehabilitation staff and family members beyond the period of inpatient rehabilitation.