ABSTRACT
Prior to injury a child or adolescent may have formed some clear concepts of his own identity and personal expectations, acquired through his life experiences and interaction with others, e.g. ‘I’m good at sport because I’m on the school football team’, ‘I have some very good friends; we get together at breaktime and we meet up at weekends’. A sudden loss of skills and abilities can quickly lead to dramatic changes in a child’s experiences, which are no longer able to provide confirmation of the self-concepts he may have previously developed. A rapid decline in friendships, social activities or social standing, or perceived ‘status’ in school, e.g. in terms of academic or sports prowess, can lead to emotional and psychosocial problems, such as lowered self-esteem, social isolation, lack of confidence, and sometimes depression, particularly as many children can remember how they were before their injury. ABI can have a dramatic impact on peer relationships. Loss of friendships are reported by many parents whose children have experienced changes following their ABI – at the very time they desperately need peer contact and support.
