Abstract
To review the evidence available on early childhood (i.e., 0–5 years 11 months) traumatic
brain injury (TBI) and identify clinical implications and future directions for speech-language
pathology (SLP) practice and research, a scoping review of the literature was conducted
following the 2018 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping
Reviews (PRSIMA-ScR) guidelines. A total of 44 peer-reviewed articles were included for review.
Included studies were assigned one or more of the following thematic labels related
to early childhood TBI: etiology, assessment, treatment, outcomes, contributing factors.
Most of the studies were nonexperimental studies and addressed outcomes following
early childhood TBI. We conclude, based on this scoping review, that children who
experience a TBI before 6 years of age are at risk for persistent long-term difficulties
in academic and social functioning. SLPs are among the group of clinicians most appropriate
to assess and treat these children; yet, the evidence for assessment, treatment, and
identification of factors contributing to the recovery of young children with TBI
is particularly lacking. Rigorous research is needed to improve the evidence base
for SLPs.
Keywords
early childhood - traumatic brain injury - speech-language pathology - assessment
- treatment
