Research priorities in the transition of head trauma youth from hospital to community settings

Young head trauma victims constitute one of the largest groups of disabled students in this country. Trauma (brain-injured)-handicapped young students subsumed sibsumed under the definition of learning disabilities. A review of the literature shows numerous studies conerned with the various characteristics associated with learning-disabled youngesters. However, studies addressing the pertinent variables involved in the successful transition of predevelopmental head trauma (PDHT) youth (14-21 C.A.) from hospital to mainstream community settings have not been conducted. This manuscript presents the need for transitional research with PDHT youth. Research priorities in the education and treatment of this population are discussed. These include the identification of indicators and intervention strategies pertinent in the transition of PDHT students from hospital to community settings. The use of intrasubject replication designs in the study of transitional variables is emphasized.