Pediatric traumatic brain injury rehabilitation: Challenges in care delivery

The provision of rehabilitation and long-term services to children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury is a challenge, in part related to the issues of growth and development. The needs of and the demands on the child change over time with different stages of development. This can be further complicated by the emergence of new deficits which often become apparent during transitions requiring more independent functioning. Additionally, changing models of care delivery and the need to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services present challenges for the systems providing services to these children and adolescents and their families. Communication and cooperation between and within these systems (medical and educational) must be optimal, to encourage appropriate, effective services and timely transitions.