EVALUATION OF NEEDS OF HIGH-INCOME AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES FOLLOWING PEDIATRIC TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

This paper assesses the needs of high- and low-income caregivers shortly after the traumatic brain injury of their child. The Family Needs Questionnaire [1], developed to assess the priorities and satisfaction of needs among family members, was administered to 49 caregivers. Surprisingly, caregivers from both groups displayed similar patterns of priorities and rated their most important needs as met. Caregivers' most important needs included clear information, therapy input, and understanding from professionals and classroom teachers. Personal needs, family support, and fixture patient-related concerns were devalued by both groups. These results are discussed as having implications for identification of high-risk families, treatment goals, and community reintegration needs.