Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program

What is an Acquired Brain Injury?

Santa Monica College has developed various educational approaches to serve students with acquired brain injuries. Our students' success rates are such that we encourage anyone with an interest in educational growth to take part in our program.

The SMC Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program is designed for the adult who wants to pursue educational goals.SMC offers two types of educational opportunities for those with acquired brain injuries:

• “for credit” coursework with support services to complete a degree or certificate at SMC or transfer to another accredited higher education institution. Enrollment in the “for credit” includes a block of core courses, namely, Problem Solving for ABI Students, Orientation to Higher Education, Physical Education, Independent Living Skills, Adapted Computer Training, Career Planning and Job Search Skills, as well as mainstream academic or vocational courses. Support services include assessment of educational limitations and recommended academic adjustments, educational planning, classroom accommodations such as notetakers, modification of testing, audiotaping, assistive listening devices, alternate media, priority registration, and subject based tutoring.
• ABI Connections, a non-credit, adult education course (Coun 910) to develop community living skills and personal development. The course emphasizes life skills; and, caregivers may participate in instructional activities when desirable. Class activities may include exploration of community resources, development of video media, as well as cognitive stimulation exercises.

Who Enrolls in the Acquired Brain Injury Program?

This program is designed for the student who is at least 18 years of age or has a high school diploma. The student should have the potential to profit from educational programs:

have a medically verifiable, non-progressive, acquired brain injury impairment sustained after the age of 13,

demonstrate sufficient self-help skills to mange basic bodily functions or provide own attendant care,

have sufficient language skills to benefit from the educational program,

consistently refrain from behaviors which deny the personal rights or safety of others,

be free of substance abuse, and

have potential to benefit from instruction in a group setting.

How Do I Enroll?

Before a student can participated he/she must complete an assessment course (Coun 921). The two week assessment course is offered several times each year. Individuals must submit medical verification of an acquired brain injury before attending the assessment course. Contact Sandi Burnett, Program Specialist, at (310) 434-4442 or burnett_sandra@smc.edu for enrollment information.

 

last updated 1/04/07