Misconceptions about traumatic brain injury among educators and rehabilitation staff: A comparative study.

This study compared the responses of 184 educators and 111 rehabilitation specialists on a measure of knowledge about childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI). Educators displayed more misconceptions about TBI overall compared to rehabilitation staff. They underestimated the effect of TBI on cognition, behavior, and continued development. More specifically, educators showed more misconceptions than the rehabilitation staff in the following areas: coma, memory and new learning, anger management, and factors affecting recovery. An important task for rehabilitation staff members is to clarify educator misconceptions about TBI as children transition to school. Information provided should increase the level of teacher preparation and help to maximize children's academic success and adaptation following TBI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)