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Discourse after closed head injury in young children
S B Chapman1, H S Levin, A Wanek
1Callier Center for Communication Disorders, University of Texas, Dallas 75235, USA.
Brain and Language
|May 8, 1998
Summary
Children with severe closed head injury (CHI) show significant discourse impairments, particularly in information structure. Early injury may lead to poorer narrative skills, with potential differences in language-brain patterns based on injury timing.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Neuropsychology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Severe closed head injury (CHI) in children can impact cognitive and linguistic functions.
- Narrative discourse is a complex skill that integrates linguistic and organizational abilities.
- Understanding the long-term effects of pediatric CHI on discourse is crucial for intervention.
Observation:
- Twenty-three children aged 6-8 years with severe CHI (sustained ≥1 year prior) were assessed.
- Narrative discourse was analyzed using linguistic and information structure measures.
- The study considered the influence of age at injury and lesion lateralization.
Findings:
- Children with CHI demonstrated significant impairments in information structure measures of narrative discourse.
- Linguistic measures did not reveal significant differences between the CHI group and controls (implied).
- Children injured earlier (< 5 years) showed a consistent pattern of poorer discourse scores.
Implications:
- Information structure deficits are a key consequence of severe pediatric CHI.
- Early childhood head injury may have a more pronounced, lasting effect on narrative discourse.
- Further research into early vs. late injury effects and lesion lateralization is warranted for targeted therapies.