Youthful Offenders Committing Crime Probably Have Traumatic Brain Injury
High School Teacher Killed by Youths
The recent news of high school teacher being beaten and killed by several youths for no apparent reason raises questions about motive. Timothy VanDerbosch, a physics and chemistry teacher at Eldorado High School, Las Vegas, Nevada, was attacked, robbed and left in the street, where he was hit by a car, Wednesday morning while walking to school, a crime that VanDerbosch’s sister, Lori de los Reyes, 47, describes as “senseless.”
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Students hold balloons and observe a moment of silence for Timothy VanDerbosch and Pamela Orr-Sowers, two Eldorado High School teachers who recently died. VanDerbosch died Wednesday morning at University Medical Center after being robbed, beaten and accidentally run over near Washington Avenue and Betty Lane. (Las Vegas Sun)
Research Supports Offending Youths have Higher Incidence of Traumatic Brain Injury
A new study of young offenders has revealed they have a significantly higher rate of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) than that expected in society as a whole. Research from the journal Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, suggests brain injury must be taken seriously in the assessment and management of offenders.
The study, published in the journal Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, found that while a brain injury alone is unlikely to increase a child's chances of criminal activity, it could play a factor in those already susceptible to crime, and may increase the chance of repeat offences.
After traumatic brain injury, generally, people suffer from cognitive and emotional impairments that can lead them to alcohol, drugs and criminal activity. Without sufficient support structures, understanding family, a person with brain injury may be largely misunderstood and depressed. With no perceptible solution, that person could slip into bad habits. So too can young, impressive brains injured by trauma.
The Children
As I watch my children grow I am thankful that they have not had serious or repeated concussions or traumatic brain injury. Life has enough potential setbacks.
It is always wise to help your kids avoid injury. Today's "NO FEAR" attitude could lead our kids to injuries that we simply do not anticipate.
- Make your kids wear helmets
- Be aware of their activities
- Know who is driving when they are in another car
- Talk to your kids about how injuries happen unexpectedly
