Traumatic brain injury in school-age children academic and social outcome

School-aged children with a traumatic blain injury (TBI) require extraordin ary effort and energy from individuals in their school, home, and community . The purpose of this study was to examine the academic, behavioral, and so cial outcomes of a cohort of children and adolescents following TBI. A comp rehensive assessment of cognitive functioning, achievement, and adaptive be havior was administered to 43 school-aged children 2 pars after their TBI. Premorbid functioning for each participant was obtained from state-mandated test scores assessed prior to the TBI. The predictive utility of premorbid functioning, TBI severity, and age at injury were examined. Findings revea led that premorbid functions were significant predictors of reading and spe lling achievement and adaptive functioning. Severity of injury was predicti ve of adaptive functioning. Implications of findings include program develo pment, reintegration into school, and educating parents and teachers. (C) 2 000 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Scien ce Ltd.