Chapter 15: The Brain Integration Programme: A residential community reintegration program for severe chronic brain injury

Individuals with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) can suffer a range of disabilities. Physical disability has often been cited as one of the important consequences of ABI, making individuals incapable of performing many activities. In addition, many survivors of ABI experience emotional problems, behavioural disturbances and psychiatric disorders (van Reekum, Bolago, Finlayson, Garner, & Links, 1996 ; McBrinn, et al., 2008 ; Kelly, Brown, Todd, & Kremer, 2008 ; Ownsworth, Little, Turner, Hawkes, & Shum, 2008 ; Vaishnavi, Rao, & Fann, 2009 ; Velikonja, Warriner, & Brum, 2010 ). Traditionally, survivors of ABI receive therapy shortly after their ABI in order to deal with the consequences of their condition (Teasell, et al., 2007 ; Turner-Stokes, Disler, Nair, & Wade, 2005 ). However, in some instances the emotional and behavioural consequences of ABI may not respond positively to initial rehabilitation programs, and thus become chronic. In fact, many studies have shown that a large proportion of individuals with ABI experience chronic behavioural and emotional consequences and may not benefit from traditional rehabilitation programs (Colantonio, et al., 2004 ; Evans, 2001 ; Jackson, 1994 ). Therefore, programs that specifically target those with such complex behavioural or psychiatric problems long after their ABI may prove effective in enhancing community participation of these individuals.