RIGHT CEREBRAL HEMISPHERE DAMAGE - INCIDENCE OF LANGUAGE PROBLEMS

While dysphasia is rare after right cerebral hemisphere damage (RHD), there is now a body of evidence to suggest that language and communica tion problems can occur. This paper reports the findings of a pilot st udy that estimated the incidence of non-dysphasic language and communi cation problems following RHD, Eleven subjects completed language asse ssments within 2 weeks of onset and again 3 months later. The results show that language impairment can follow a unilateral RHD for 50% of t he sample, and that there are marked difficulties for 20%. Furthermore these problems do not resolve spontaneously over a 3 month period. Th e case for speech and language therapy intervention for this patient g roup is discussed.