Typical Recovery Sequence Following a Child's TBI

The following are the sequential steps for recovery taken after a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury:

Motor
Gross motor functioning such as walking often improves more rapidly than other functions (within 1 to 2 months).

Sensory
These functions also improve relatively rapidly in children (within 1 to 2 months).

Speech
Communication skills, especially expressive speech may resolve within a few months, although more subtle language problems may persist indefinitely and unfortunately often are unrecognized.

Measured IQ
IQ changes, particularly in mild brain injuries, may be relatively modest and appear to recover in the two months after injury. However, the change is usually not as rapid as motor, sensory and speech functions.

Note: It is important to compare IQ scores pre-injury to those post-injury if possible. A student may score in the normal IQ range post-injury and be deemed “okay.” But, if that student’s pre-injury IQ score was above the normal range, the post-injury intellectual functioning may be well below what it was prior to injury.

Memory and Attention
Difficulties in these areas may persist for many months after mild and moderate injuries and even longer in severe injuries.

Higher Level Cognition
Some functions may continue to be impaired for years, if not permanently. These include: information processing; learning under complex or difficult situations; and ability to function effectively and efficiently in novel situations. Students with TBI tend to be negatively affected by stress more easily than before.