Carle Health System Brain Injury Symposium 2026

Comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury, Cognitive Rehabilitation & Neurorehabilitation Update

The Carle Health System Brain Injury Symposium 2026 provides a focused, multidisciplinary review of contemporary approaches to the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with acquired and traumatic brain injuries. Designed for rehabilitation professionals, physiatrists, neurologists, therapists, and other clinicians involved in brain injury care, this educational program explores practical strategies to improve functional recovery, cognitive outcomes, and long-term quality of life following brain injury.

Brain injury remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, often resulting in complex neurological, cognitive, visual, emotional, and autonomic impairments. This symposium addresses the latest advances in neurorehabilitation, cognitive recovery, disorders of consciousness, visual dysfunction, autonomic nervous system disturbances, and posture management through evidence-based, multidisciplinary approaches.

Through expert-led presentations and case-focused discussions, participants gain clinically relevant insights that can be immediately applied to rehabilitation practice across inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings.

Product Details

Course: Carle Health System Brain Injury Symposium 2026

Course Date: February 21, 2026

Format: 1 Video + 1 PDF

Size: 2.06 GB

Access: On-Demand

Educational Focus: Brain Injury Rehabilitation & Recovery

Program Overview

This symposium provides a comprehensive overview of modern brain injury rehabilitation, emphasizing collaborative care models and patient-centered recovery strategies.

The curriculum focuses on:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
• Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT)
• Visual deficits after brain injury
• Disorders of consciousness
• Postural management
• Balance rehabilitation
• Neuroplasticity
• Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
• PTSD-related neurological symptoms
• Dizziness and vestibular symptoms
• Functional recovery strategies
• Multidisciplinary rehabilitation planning

Participants learn practical approaches to addressing the diverse neurological and functional challenges encountered during the rehabilitation process.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Recognize common visual impairments associated with acquired brain injury.
• Apply multidisciplinary treatment strategies for neurovisual dysfunction.
• Implement cognitive rehabilitation techniques to improve patient independence.
• Understand the role of posture and balance management in rehabilitation outcomes.
• Evaluate patients with disorders of consciousness following acute brain injury.
• Identify autonomic nervous system dysfunction following traumatic brain injury.
• Address persistent symptoms such as dizziness, PTSD, and autonomic dysregulation.
• Develop individualized rehabilitation plans that optimize long-term recovery.

Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation

A major focus of the symposium is understanding the complex rehabilitation needs of patients following brain injury.

Topics include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
• Functional recovery pathways
• Neuroplasticity
• Long-term disability management
• Multidisciplinary rehabilitation
• Community reintegration

Faculty discuss evidence-based approaches that promote recovery and maximize functional outcomes.

Visual Deficits Following Brain Injury

Visual impairments are among the most common yet underrecognized consequences of brain injury.

Coverage includes:

• Visual field deficits
• Oculomotor dysfunction
• Double vision
• Visual processing disorders
• Reading difficulties
• Neuro-optometric rehabilitation
• Multidisciplinary treatment approaches

Participants learn how visual dysfunction can significantly affect recovery and quality of life.

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT)

The symposium reviews current principles of cognitive rehabilitation and recovery.

Topics include:

• Memory rehabilitation
• Attention deficits
• Executive dysfunction
• Cognitive retraining
• Goal-setting strategies
• Patient empowerment tools
• Functional cognitive recovery

Faculty emphasize practical interventions designed to improve independence and participation in daily activities.

Disorders of Consciousness

Patients with severe brain injuries may experience prolonged alterations in consciousness.

Key topics include:

• Coma
• Vegetative state
• Minimally conscious state
• Prognostic assessment
• Acute management strategies
• Rehabilitation planning
• Emerging therapeutic approaches

Participants review modern frameworks for evaluating and managing these complex patients.

Balance, Positioning & Posture Management

Effective posture management serves as a foundation for successful rehabilitation.

Coverage includes:

• Lying balance assessment
• Positioning strategies
• Pressure injury prevention
• Musculoskeletal protection
• Postural alignment
• Functional mobility support
• Rehabilitation progression

Faculty discuss how early posture management influences long-term outcomes.

Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction

The course examines the growing recognition of autonomic disturbances following brain injury.

Topics include:

• Dysautonomia
• Orthostatic intolerance
• Heart rate variability
• Blood pressure regulation
• Persistent neurological symptoms
• Autonomic recovery

Participants gain insight into identifying and managing these often-overlooked complications.

PTSD, Dizziness & Persistent Symptoms

Many brain injury survivors experience lingering symptoms that affect daily function.

Topics include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Vestibular dysfunction
• Chronic dizziness
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Emotional regulation
• Symptom management strategies

Faculty provide practical approaches for addressing these common rehabilitation challenges.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Physiatrists
• Neurologists
• Rehabilitation Physicians
• Neuropsychologists
• Physical Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathologists
• Rehabilitation Nurses
• Advanced Practice Providers
• Physician Assistants
• Brain Injury Specialists
• Neuroscience Clinicians