Communication outcome in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

This article gives a brief review of investigations of speech and language impairment after paediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) and describes possible effects of frontal lobe injury on non-aphasic disorders of communication. The relation between age and outcome after brain injury in children is also considered. Procedures for overcoming chronic obstacles to effective supports and services for students returning to school after TBI are described briefly. Although most children with normal development of language at the time of their injury experience generally satisfactory recovery of speech and language skills, there is considerable variation within this population. The most likely communication challenges relate to the socially skilled application of available speech and language skills, not their possession.