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NSW Brain Injury Rehabilitation Forum May 2011
Back to: PROGRAMME : ABSTRACTS : VIDEOS
Educational outcomes for children
with moderate to severe acquired brain injury
GRACE LEO, Children's Hospital Westmead
Title: Educational outcomes with children with moderate to severe acquired brain injury
Authors: G. S. Leo, A. M. Morrow, J. M. Macey, & F. Barzi, The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Objective: Acquired brain injury (ABI) in childhood can result in cognitive and behavioural impairment. School attendance is a core social activity for children. We conducted a medical chart review to describe educational and neuropsychological outcomes for children with moderate to severe acquired brain injury attending our service.
Participants and Methods: Eligible cases were identified from the database of a paediatric brain injury service in New South Wales, Australia (2003-2007). We reviewed 104 children aged 8-16 years with moderate or severe AB!. Children with previous behavioural or learning difficulties were excluded. Data were collected at 6, 18 and 30 months post injury. Variables included patient demographics, school placement, and neuropsychological testing. Linear regression examined variables predictive of educational outcomes.
Results: Participants included 49 children with severe ABI (Glasgow Coma Scale <=8 or Post Traumatic Amnesia >=7 days), 39 were female and 44 children aged 8-12 years old. Return to full time schooling was 57% at 6 months post-injury, 87% at 18 months and 90% at 30 months. Provision of an aide or special curriculum was received by 20% of children. We present preliminary analysis of our data.
Conclusions: We describe the educational and neuropsychological outcomes for our population of school-aged children with AB!. This case review improves our understanding of the increased needs of children following AB!. This has important implications for service delivery. Adequate resources and appropriate referrals to services are needed to promote successful return to full time schooling following ABI.
