Immediate and 45-minute delayed recall of a paragraph-length story and
of a complex geometric figure were investigated in a sample of 30 chi
ldren with traumatic brain injury. There was no significant difference
between children with mild to moderate injuries and children with sev
ere injuries with regard to general level of verbal recall. However, t
here was a trend for children with mild to moderate injuries to have b
etter recall of visual information than children with severe injuries.
Recall of verbally presented information deteriorated significantly o
ver the 45-minute delay, regardless of injury severity. No such deteri
oration was found for recall of visually presented information. Clinic
al and research implications are discussed.