EXPERT NICHE: Child-Teen-Young Adult Brain Injury

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

I am highly specialized in a niche area of education & transition to adulthood following child, teen, & young adult brain injury. I received my Doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, specializing in Mind, Brain, & Teaching (educational neuroscience). I provide expert opinions regarding any pre- and post-brain injury changes, what to expect in the future, and recommendations for support and services into adulthood. I am the full-time director of a statewide program supporting all children who sustain a brain injury and return to school and have held this position since the program's inception in 2007. My background is in special education (all ages), neurodevelopment, brain injury in individuals ages birth to young adulthood, and post-high school transition support and services. I investigate brain injury from a functional, clinical, and neurodevelopmental perspective. I identify strengths and weaknesses in a child's cognitive, behavioral, socio-emotional, and learning skills by examining their home, school, and community activities of daily living following all severities of pediatric brain injury. Additionally, I have specialized expertise in the field of return-to-school concussion management policies and procedures. My investigation into daily function is a highly nuanced area that requires expert interpretation. I identify if, and to what extent a brain injury has impacted an individual's learning and behavior. Brain injury can affect skills that have not yet matured, depending on the areas of the brain that were damaged and at what point in development. New cognitive or behavioral deficits can emerge as the child's brain develops over time. I determine the services required after a brain injury for optimal outcomes. I am skilled in the field of special education, brain injury school and community support and services, and proper identification of students who have been misidentified for services at school. I create comprehensive education and transition plans for students into adulthood. Professional Credentials and Roles: * Board of Governors: Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists under the Brain Injury Association of America * Board of Directors: International Pediatric Brain Injury Society (IPBIS) * Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer with Advanced Practice in NeuroRehabilitation * Teaching Certifications: Elementary Education, Special Education, Reading Specialist * Executive Board: National Collaborative on Children’s Brain Injury * Well-Published: Brain injury peer-reviewed journals * Presenter: State, national, and international levels * Researcher in the field of brain injury * Recipient of multiple state and national awards for work in pediatric brain injury * Co-leader of the first National Concussion Return to Learn Consensus Dr. Eagan-Johnson investigates the current and long-term outcomes of the following types & causes of brain injury: ◾ Traumatic Brain Injury (includes Concussion) Common causes such as: – Abusive head trauma – Assault – Abuse – Falls – Firearm – Motor vehicle crash (includes bicycle) – Pedestrian accident – Sports – Recreation -- etc. ◾ Non-Traumatic Brain Injury Common causes such as: – Aneurysm – Brain tumor – Leukemia – Stroke – Other cancers (late-term chemotherapy/radiation effects on the brain) Toxic injuries due to: – Carbon monoxide poisoning – Lead poisoning – Mold toxicity – Lack of oxygen (Hypoxia/Anoxia) due to: – Near drowning – Lightning strike – Electric shock – Overdose – Strangulation – Choking – Cardiac event – Heart attack – Diabetic coma – Blood clot – Bilirubin encephalopathy – Encephalitis – Meningitis – Long-COVID-19/Neuro-COVID-19 – PANS/PANDAS – Lyme Disease – Other viruses – Seizure disorder – Hydrocephalus - Chiari Malformation