Neuropsychological sequelae of head injury in a New Zealand adolescent sample.

The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and extent of any difficulties experienced by students after head injury, and the degree to which these were recognized by their parents and teachers. All year 10 students at a co-educational high school in New Zealand were surveyed for information regarding incidence, aetiology and severity of head injury-related symptomatology and general everyday competency. A proportion of students reporting injury (mostly mild) and a matched control group were studied in more detail. Information was obtained through a self-report questionnaire, neuropsychological measures, and teacher and parent rating forms. Apart from trials 5 and 6 of the AVLT, in which the head-injury group scored significantly lower than the control group, there were no other significant differences between the two groups on neuropsychological measures. There was a low level of agreement between students, teachers and parents with regard to behavioural and cognitive difficulties that the students were experiencing.