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Traumatic brain injury in children: issues in community function
1West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA. acronin@hsc.wvu.edu
Insights
Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause overlooked cognitive impairments and developmental delays. Occupational therapists should screen children regularly for these issues, addressing them within educational guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents unique challenges compared to adult TBI.
- Cognitive impairments and secondary developmental delays are frequently missed in childhood TBI cases.
- Most children with TBI receive minimal rehabilitation post-acute care, despite TBI being a leading cause of acquired childhood disability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide occupational therapists with current information on sequelae and functional limitations following pediatric TBI.
- To outline methods for addressing TBI-related deficits within the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) framework.
- To emphasize the importance of regular screening for emerging cognitive problems in children with a history of TBI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current information on pediatric TBI sequelae.
- Discussion of functional limitations and their impact on children.
- Exploration of intervention strategies aligned with IDEA guidelines.
Main Results:
- Pediatric TBI can lead to significant cognitive and neuropsychological deficits, often emerging later as developmental demands increase.
- Current practices often overlook these non-motor deficits in children with TBI.
- Regular screening and a focus beyond motor limitations are crucial for effective intervention.
Conclusions:
- Occupational therapists play a vital role in identifying and addressing cognitive and neuropsychological deficits in children with TBI.
- Early and ongoing intervention, guided by IDEA, is essential for improving outcomes for children with TBI.
- School-based therapists should adopt a comprehensive approach, considering cognitive and neuropsychological impacts alongside motor skills.
Abstract:
The pathology and sequelae of pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) differ from those of the adult TBI population. In childhood TBI, cognitive impairment and secondary delays are often overlooked in the referral and intervention process. Although TBI is the leading cause of acquired disability in childhood, most children with TBI are discharged from acute care to home with little or no rehabilitation. This literature review provides current information germane to the occupational therapist on sequelae and functional limitations that may exist or develop after TBI in children. Further, methods by which these deficits can be addressed within the context of Individuals With Disabilities Education Act guidelines are described. Children with a history of TBI should be screened regularly because some cognitive problems emerge years after the injury as developmental demands on the child increase. In this article, school-based therapists are urged to look beyond a child's motor limitations to address the cognitive and neuropsychological problems typical of this population.