Educational attainment and ability in young adults following acquired brain injury

To compare the educational levels of clients with brain injury, acquired during working age who received neurorehabilitation between 2002 and 2013 with two governmental reports examining educational levels of attainment in the general public.

Results from national skills numeracy and literacy assessments undertaken by clients with acquired brain injury (ABI) on admission to the centre between 2002 and 2013 were compared with the results from two national reports examining educational attainment in people in further education with and without long term disabilities, as part of an ongoing review/audit of the service.

ABI resulted in lower levels of literacy and numeracy compared to the general public; women with ABI performed more poorly on the numeracy assessment compared to the literacy assessment; and clients with ABI had a disproportionately reduced level of literacy, resulting in a more even pattern of attainment on the numeracy and literacy assessments whereas the general public scored more highly on the literacy assessment.

ABI adversely affects both literacy and numeracy skills. It is important that the effect of ABI on numeracy and literacy is considered during vocational counselling and rehabilitation as a person's premorbid education level may be an overestimation of their abilities.