The Brain Injury Service, Department of Rehabilitation at the New Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia, has produced a book focusing on the issues of emerging sexual interest of young people with a brain injury. The book aims to provide information about relationships between sexuality and acquired brain injury in children and adolescents. Every year hundreds of children in Australia and worldwide sustain brain injuries as a result of accidents or illness. The acquired brain injury may leave the child with a range of disabilities. Adjusting to a brain injury is a complex and ongoing process. Physical disabilities may be obvious to the community while some common cognitive difficulties such as communication, learning and reasoning problems are more subtle but can have a significant impact on the lives of the child and family. Problems can include difficulties with memory, concentration, learning, making decisions, impulse control, judgement and planning which may affect behaviour. Staff at the Brain Injury Service at New Children's Hospital, have, over many years, dealt with a variety of issues relating to sexual development in children and adolescents with acquired brain injury. The onset of puberty brings with it an array of changes that can be made more complicated by the effects of a brain injury. Cultural, religious, ethical and legal implications add further dimensions to an already complex situation.
This book offers: an outline of the impact of acquired brain injury on normal sexual development an examination of the problems that can occur a framework for assessment case studies and suggestions for intervention. It explores legal and ethical issues and provides a list of resources. Primarily it is intended for use by people with some knowledge of acquired brain injury. The book is a useful resource for: staff working in the area of brain injury staff of community health and welfare services teachers and school counsellors and families and friends of young people with acquired brain injury.
