Return to school following severe closed head injury: a critical phase in pediatric rehabilitation.

Accidents are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in children over the age of 1 in the United States. Significant numbers sustain closed head injuries severe enough to cause permanent disability and dependence. A critical phase in recovery is the return to school. Many necessary ongoing services are provided by public school systems, but children with neurosequelae of severe closed head injury differ from children traditionally served in special education programs. Smooth transition from hospital to school requires informed participants and interagency cooperation.