The Adapted HELPS Brain Injury Screening Tool is a printable, one-page resource to help service professionals discuss possible brain injury with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Adapted to the intimate partner violence context, the tool uses five questions to explore the potential of brain injury:
- Has the survivor Hit their head, or been hit on the head?
- Has the survivor been seen in an Emergency room?
- Did the survivor Lose consciousness?
- Has the survivor had Problems since the injury?
- Has the survivor had significant Sicknesses or physical symptoms?
This version is shaped for the intimate partner violence context, and adds strangulation to the first question.
How to use the tool
Use the questions to support a conversation about possible brain injury and symptoms that may be affecting a survivor’s daily life. The tool can help identify when further assessment or referral may be appropriate.
The HELPS tool does not diagnose a brain injury. A positive screening result indicates that further assessment may be needed. Follow the tool’s instructions and use clinical judgment and appropriate referral pathways when deciding on next steps.
The tool is designed to be printed and completed with a survivor. Download it, print copies and keep them accessible for your team.
Original tool attribution: Adapted from the HELPS tool developed by M. Picard, D. Scarisbrick and R. Paluck (September 1991), International Center for the Disabled, TBI-NET, U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Grant #H128A00022.
Recognize. Respond. Refer.
Download the tool, and use it with your team.
Download the screening tool (PDF)
Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR) is a registered charity and the only Canadian organization dedicated to intimate partner violence-caused brain injury. Through research, education and advocacy, we turn evidence into action.