Limited understanding of deficit in children with brain dysfunction

Abstract

This xploratory study describes how children with acquired brain dysfunction recognise and interpret brain injury and its associated disabilities. Ten children, aged 7 to 15 years, with brain injuries, were interviewed in depth about their injuries and impairments. A qualitative design was used to code and analyse their responses. The findings indicate that children with brain dysfunction have a limited understanding of their condition. They are poorly informed in several areas, including basic brain function, personal knowledge of their own injuries, and how they came to be dysfunctional. Confusion about the passage of time in the post-injury period is common and persistent. Children often believe that their handicapping condition is primarily physical. Their understanding is also poor regarding the implications of brain injury for their cognitive processes and social interactions.