Shepherd Center: Dual Diagnosis

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Patients with Dual Diagnosis

Someone who has experienced a spinal cord injury may also have a brain injury. This "dual diagnosis" can be very difficult because regaining movement and strength, this person also has to cope with potential learning and memory challenges caused by a brain injury. This requires a special rehabilitation program to address all of these needs.

At Shepherd Center, we have a special team of people who understand the unique needs of a person who is recovering from both types of injuries.

What We Do

We help patients move from the point of injury, through inpatient rehabilitation, day program, outpatient rehabilitation, and finally back into the home or community, with follow-up services as needed. Each patient's treatment program is different because it is designed specifically for the needs of that person.

Our goals for each patient include:

Treating and minimizing medical complications related to the injury or other trauma.

Getting each patient to the point where they can return home or to their community with the skills needed to live as independently as possible.

Working on learning, problem solving and memory skills and other skills as needed due to the brain injury.

Educating family members and caregivers so that they understand everything about the injury and the needs of the person.

Extensive hands-on training with caregivers to prepare for discharge.

How the Program Works

Recovering from two different types of injuries is hard on your body and may require more time to recover. We take your medical concerns into account. Your therapy moves forward when we know that you can participate and that you are ready to move to the next step.

We work with each patient and family to create a treatment plan that has your specific needs in mind. Our program includes:

Goal setting Your treatment team puts together a set of goals based on your injury and your long-term needs. These might include returning to work or school, driving or functioning independently.

Team treatment Your interdisciplinary team works together to accomplish your goals and allows you to practice all of your newly acquired skills. Your team consists of a physiatrist, nurses, case manager, occupational, speech and physical therapist, therapeutic recreation specialist, dietician, neuropsychology/psychology services and specialists in assistive technology, vocational counseling, seating clinic and brace clinic as required to address individual needs.

Cognitive/Behavioral treatment People who experience a brain injury have to relearn many tasks and skills. You also have to work to regain the ability to concentrate, remember, solve problems, relate to other people and take care of personal needs. You may have problems with being tired, controlling your behavior and exercising good judgment. Learning to live with a newly-injured body is tough and having a brain injury makes it more challenging, but our team has the experience in helping people achieve as much recovery as possible during rehabilitation.