Podcast shines a light on the hidden impact of childhood brain injury

A new Children’s Health Queensland podcast is helping families navigate the often unseen emotional challenges of childhood brain injury, sharing lived experiences and expert advice to support mental health and wellbeing throughout recovery.

Beyond a Brain Injury brings together a Queensland family and clinicians from the Queensland Children’s Hospital to explore the impact of acquired brain injury (ABI) on the mental health and wellbeing of children, parents and siblings.

The two-part series follows the experiences of Brisbane family Amanda and Jamie Clayton, whose daughter Sophie, experienced a stroke at four years old in 2010.

More than 14 years after her stroke, Sophie is now a university student who has learned to drive, achieving milestones her family once feared may not be possible.

Amanda and Jamie share their experiences of navigating Sophie’s rehabilitation, adjusting to changes in family life and supporting the mental health of everyone in their family.

Amanda said she hoped sharing their family’s experience would help other parents feel less alone.

“When your child experiences a brain injury, your whole family’s world changes. You’re so focused on their recovery that it can be easy to overlook the emotional impact on everyone else,” Amanda said.

“We all experienced it differently, and we’ve had to learn how to support each other while finding our way through a new normal.

“By sharing our story, we hope other families know they’re not alone, that it’s okay to ask for help and that there is still so much to look forward to.”

Amanda said some of Sophie’s ongoing challenges, including cognitive fatigue, were not always obvious to others.

“People might see Sophie doing well at university or getting her driver’s licence, but they don’t always see how much effort goes into everyday activities or the support she needs behind the scenes,” she said.

“Just because someone looks like they’re doing well doesn’t mean their brain injury isn’t affecting them. A little understanding can make a big difference.”

Queensland Children’s Hospital advanced social worker, Alana English, said the focus was often on a child’s physical recovery after an acquired brain injury, but the emotional impact can be just as significant.  

“Beyond a Brain Injury shines a light on the of the less visible effects of brain injury, including changes to memory, concentration, fatigue and emotional regulation,” Alana said.

“Children and families may experience grief, trauma and uncertainty at different stages, including long after they’ve been discharged from hospital and returned home.

“We want families to understand that mental health support is an important part of rehabilitation, and they don’t need to wait until things become overwhelming before reaching out.”

The podcast explores two important stages of recovery, from the initial shock and uncertainty following a brain injury to preparing for discharge and adjusting to life at home. It also offers practical strategies for managing grief, maintaining hope, supporting siblings and looking after parental mental health.

Beyond a Brain Injury is an initiative of Children’s Health Queensland’s Queensland Paediatric Rehabilitation Service (SHARE project), created with the support of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ).

Listen to Beyond a Brain Injury: Talking mental health and ABI.

ENDS