Assessing Sensory-Motor Deficits in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

The assessment of sensory-motor functions is a key component of pediatric neuropsychological evaluations following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sensory-motor processes have recently been shown to be related to larger neural structures and functions, rather than a secondary role played in the past. Recent research has shown sensory-motor functioning serves as a marker for the integrity of the central nervous system. Children's behavior following a TBI has greater variation than seen in adults, which may well relate to greater natural variation and maturational effects. With the recent findings of greater importance of sensory-motor functions, the need for psychometrically sound measures is stressed and various measures are outlined.