Juliet Haarbauer-Krupa

Emory University School of Medicine, USA

Title: Transition to Adulthood for Children Who Experienced Acquired Brain Injury: What we know.

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Biography

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/SCOPE: Children who sustain an ABI are vulnerable to disruption of new and emerging skills that impact academic functioning during school years and further influence outcomes following graduation. Because there is limited information about adult outcomes for children who experience ABI, we do not have a clear understanding of how this condition affects attainments of adult milestones such as high school graduation, enrolment in post-secondary education or obtaining employment. The purpose of this presentation is to describe current literature and lessons learned from a clinical transition program that was developed to serve adolescents who experienced ABI in childhood. METHODS: This talk will describe current literature about this phase and provide insights from a clinical program that strived to provide teens with strategies for improving health and academic performance, determining career goals and interests, examine existing educational programs, providing information about long term effects, driving, returning to competitive sports and utilizing technology for self-management. 

RESULTS: There is limited literature about transition to adulthood for individuals who have experienced a childhood TBI. The most known is that there is a high rate of individuals in the justice system who have a childhood TBI history. In the clinical program, participants reported goals to attend college, drive, and participate in athletics. Program accomplishments included helping adolescents to understand what is needed for healthcare and school when they transition to adulthood.

CONCLUSION: Adolescents who experience brain injury during childhood benefit from intervention that addresses their educational and healthcare needs as they transition to adulthood. Programs that include education on lasting effects, goal setting, peer coaches, fitness assessment, vocational interests, and technology provide a range of services that can facilitate this process. Long term follow-up studies of children who experience brain injury is needed to better understand transition to adulthood and achievement of optimal outcomes.