Mambourin supports people living with a range of different disabilities and support needs.
If you’d like to discuss how we can support you, contact one of our friendly team members on 9731 9200 or email us at hello@mambourin.org
Get in touchLooking for information on ABI? Here are some of our frequently asked questions.
An acquired brain injury (ABI) describes any brain injury that occurs after birth. There are many ways that a brain can be injured, including lack of oxygen, an infection, disease or physical trauma, such as a hit to the head.
Although there are more than 700,000 people in Australia living with ABI, the impact on their health, thinking, learning and behaviour is diverse.
Some people with an ABI experience medical difficulties such as epilepsy or fatigue. Other people may experience behavioural changes such as a short temper or reduced attention span. While the physical disabilities which can follow a brain injury are often easy to see, the effects on thinking, learning and behaviour may be harder to recognise.
The cause and severity of ABI can vary and may occur from:
Common causes of ABI are:
A person’s experience with ABI depends on the cause of their injury and which areas of the brain have been affected. It can be difficult to predict how ABI may affect someone mentally or physically. Some people with ABI may have injuries they can recover from while others may have lengthy or permanent effects.
The physical effects of ABI can be:
The behavioural effects of ABI can be:
The effects of ABI on learning and thinking can be:
ABI is relatively common in Australia. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that around 700,000 Australians have ABI and of those, three in four are aged 65 or under. Three-quarters of people with ABI are male.
ABI can be diagnosed by a medical professional such as a doctor or neurologist. CT scans and x-rays may be required to ensure that rehabilitation is highly targeted and effective. Memory or cognitive tests may also be included to determine if a person requires any additional lifestyle support.
Unless the person was very young when they acquired their brain injury, it’s likely they already have experience leading an independent life. This can make adjusting to a life with more limited independence challenging.
The good news is that with the right support, many people with ABI can continue leading active and independent adult lives and return to fulfilling employment. For people with more complex needs, organisations like Mambourin are dedicated to helping them build practical skills that prepare them for independent living.
We can support people with ABI with skills such as:
People with ABI may be eligible for NDIS support. Mambourin’s NDIS team can help open up the NDIS for you and your family and assist you with:
For some people with ABI, getting out and connecting with people in a safe environment is important for building social skills and confidence – while having fun, of course!
Mambourin offers a range of social and interest choices that almost always take place in a group setting and are designed to accommodate a range of unique interests.
Our social and interest choices include:
Along with social and interest choices, Mambourin offers leisure and recreation choices for those who are interested in getting out and about.
Our wide range of leisure and recreation choices include:
Weekend activities are varied to suit all tastes and you can choose which ones you’d like to join. Some of our more popular options include:
Getting out into the community, either in a group or individual setting is great for developing interpersonal skills that build confidence and independence. Mambourin has a huge range of structured, group-based activities and individual outings to choose from that we like to call community choices.
Your community choices:
Finding employment when you have a disability can seem challenging.
The good news is that with the right network and opportunities, many people with ABI can find work in a variety of fields.
Speak to Mambourin about your employment goals and we will work to connect you to every opportunity to make them happen. We have a range of pathways to further training and offer on-the-job support when you need it.
Opportunities we can provide include:
For those with an ABI aged 16 and over and still enrolled in school, a Mambourin Traineeship is a great pathway to further study or employment.
The best part? You get paid as you go!
The current traineeships we offer at Mambourin include:
Mambourin supports people living with a range of different disabilities and support needs.
If you’d like to discuss how we can support you, contact one of our friendly team members on 9731 9200 or email us at hello@mambourin.org
Get in touch