Letter to Representative Lance on Pediatric Brain Injuries
January 30, 2012
Dear Representative Lance:
On behalf of the more than three million members of the National Education Association, we would like to express our support for H.R. 2600, the National Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury Plan Act of 2011.
NEA supports a free, appropriate public education for all students with disabilities and a full continuum of placement options and services/delivery. Our members know that students who have suffered a brain injury of any kind and for any reason may experience significant reductions in cognitive, academic, behavioral, social, and emotional functioning—all important factors that contribute to educational success. More specifically, a brain injury can lead to difficulties with attention, organization, memory, communication, processing, problem solving, balance and coordination, spatial disorientation, irritability, depression, and low motivation, among others, all of which can lead to academic stress or failure.
HR 2600 will help ensure that students with brain injuries, as well as their families, get the help they need in order to address the academic, social, and other impacts of the injury. The bill would develop a seamless, standardized, evidence-based system of care universally accessible for all children/young adults and their families regardless of where they live in the nation.
We thank you for your leadership on this important issue.
Director, Center for Advocacy
Director of Government Relations