Definitions

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an insult to the brain, not of degenerative or congenital nature, caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness, which results in an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. It can also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning.

Source: Brain Injury Association of America

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury to the brain which is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative that has occurred after birth.

An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth.  Causes of ABI include external forces applied to the head and/or neck (traumatic brain injury), anoxic/hypoxic injury (e.g., cardiopulmonary arrest, carbon monoxide poisoning, airway obstruction, hemorrhage), intracranial surgery, vascular disruption, infectious diseases, intracranial neoplasms, metabolic disorder, seizure disorders and toxic exposure).

Source: Brain Injury Association of America

For Ohio's Education System, "Traumatic brain injury" means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force or by other medical conditions, including but not limited to stroke, anoxia, infectious disease, aneurysm, brain tumors and neurological insults resulting from medical or surgical treatments.

The injury results in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment or both, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term applies to open or closed head injuries, as well as to other medical conditions that result in acquired brain injuries.  The injuries result in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition; language; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem-solving; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities; psychosocial behavior; physical functions; information processing; and speech. The term does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative, or brain injuries induced by birth trauma.

Source: Operating Standards for Ohio's Schools Serving Children With Disabilities, 3301-51-01 (l)